I can tell you from first hand experience that I've done dozens of trees like that and you most certainly do NOT want to cut it without a notch. The triangle method is good, but I still trust the bore cut method the most. Steep angle face notch only 1/5 or so into the tree, plunge cut to make your hinge and work your way towards the back of the tree. But as with any cut, different variables can affect the outcome. Make sure the tree isn't hollow..... One of the many reasons I like to take the top weight out of leaners......takes a lot of the force out of the tree....
I agree with RParrotte and the others that said to notch and the bore cut. I took Scottyoverkills's recommendations dropped a couple of leaners like yours using that method.
How is the left and right side of the triangle cut? Is it similar to cutting the face cut? What's the angel of the cut? I've found lots of pictures and diagrams but no cutting instructions. But I'm A.D.H.D and surfing for long periods of time turns me into a werewolf.
I worked with a guy that almost got killed by a barber chaired tree. Couple more variables were in play but still very dangerous.
It's just the start of the back cut. Then you finish the strip of the TmT faster since it's not as wide. If the hollow part isn't right where the notch would end at 30-40% depending I would go that way with a Humboldt and back it up quickly with a long bar. I did one a few weeks ago almost like that and faced it normal and had 2 little strips of hinge left.
Yeag but there isnt much snow there today though. I messesd around piling up some if the limbs today didnt feel like cutting any today
You have a couple leaners in the picture but apparently you are talking about the one in the center. 1. Always notch!!!!! But on hard leaners I tend to not notch as deep. On how you do the back cut, there are many ways to do it and most will lean to the bore cut. I simply cut as normal, sort of but will lean a bit toward the triangle cut. Not all the way on that triangle but somewhat like it. When you are ready to cut the center, use the best saw you have and cut it fast and get out fast. Any sign of movement (keep your eye on the kerf), stop the saw and get out fast.
I watch the top as it will show movement before the kerf usually. You can hang a wedge in the kerf loosely or an axe to show movement.
As far outside I got today was the front porch to bring in 5 splits for the 80 at 0830. Guess I'll do it again at about 2030 tonight. Tomorrow is another day....
Man I ain't feelin' good about this one.....kinda like the little fella that peeks through his hands.....fearing to peer out through his fingers at what's going on. Big tree, big top, sheesh, I've seen SNAP, BANG, WHISTLE PAST, THUMP on a small scale.....would hate to see flyin' shrapnel on that thing.
Like Scotty said, definitely be careful of rot on any tree, especially leaners. This rotten leaner nearly "got" me, even with a shallow open notch and bore cut. http://firewoodhoardersclub.com/forums/threads/unpleasant-suprise-today.8804/
Absolutely Mike. That one you just referenced had me VERY leery of this one I cut several days after your post. Heavy leaner, rotten center. The only thing for certain was which direction the top would go. I called my buddy before, and after I had it down with texts in between to let him know I was ok.
It took more work to get it all the way to the ground, but I was too tired to get more pics of it when it gave up the ghost.
That is why when possible I hook a very long braided steel cable and pull them over. Done it many times.
I got into a hollow ailanthus that I didn't know was hollow. Big and near my barn. Got the notch in and discovered the hollow on the back cut. Nothing to do at that point but keep going and it scared hell out of me. I agree with everyone who advised a shallow face cut. What do people think about wrapping a tractor-trailer size binding strap a bunch of times around the part just above the cut to reduce the chance of a barber chair? Seems it has a good chance of helping with no downside, but there could be something I'm not thinking about.
