Having the shakes!

lovinmyclimber

lovinmyclimber

Location
Sevierville, TN
I have only cut down two trees now, both times with my boyfriends help. I stay clam but thrilled all up to the point the tree begins to tilt. As soon as I see the tree move in any way I want to pull the saw out and run. I see my bf cut down trees without even the slightest flinch. Does it just come less fearful as you go? Is there some trick to feel less scared? I know I won't be as good as him, but when he does go to tree jobs I want him to be able to ask me and not pay a friend for their services. Besides I would be free labor :)
 
Education and understanding why things happen the way they do will also help along with practice.
 
Haha, it will be better than driving on the highway then lol. All tree species act differently while being cut so the only way to get over it is with experience. The more you cut, the more you will know what to expect.
 
If you really want to get over the swing deal go climbing on a breezy day. Not say with a tornado force wind just a nice breeze. That and you will do better when a breeze kicks up while at work too.
 
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If you really want to get over the swing deal go climbing on a breezy day. Not say with a tornado force wind just a nice breeze. That and you will do better when a breeze kicks up while at work too.

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This is good advice but I think she's talking about felling from the ground.

I would advise planning escape routes. As soon as the tree starts to go you do too.
 
The most important rule to remember is "Don't panic!"

I've had plenty of close calls and have done my fair share of running.

Stay calm, breathe, and watch the tree. And escape routes are a must. Plural! Routes!

Previous proper planning prevents piss poor performance. Always have a plan! Expect the unexpected. The tree could have lean you didn't notice, be rotten, or a tornado might just jump out of the sky with 120mph winds.

If you have doubt about anything ask someone what they think. At work I have no problem asking the least experienced ground guy "what do you think about such and such?"

Oh and if you feel uncomfortable doing something just ask me. I've got it!
 
No doubt! Just an example..although before I cut any big trees or anything with a large canopy I always look in the distance and make sure there isn't any unexpected weather coming my way.
 
Never loose the desire to move away. Many folks get killed because they don't. The key is, as others mentioned, have a plan on the safe routes you are supposed to take. That way you'll focus your retreat productively. Others get killed because they go the wrong way.

Your BF can give you tips on what to look for to tell you it's time to go. Looking for those will also help focus your advance to a safer zone.

Keep doing it. Like many other things it gets better the more you do it...did I tee that one up, or what?
 
One piece of advice I can give is to pay attention to your cut obviously but also pay attention to what the top is doing as well. You are going to see that top move before anything else. When I was working for ECROW I can't tell you how many times inexperienced guys with chain saws almost had trees come down on them because the tree came back on them but they didn't notice because they were to busy staring at their back cut. With ear plugs in and a saw running you aren't likely to hear someone yell when the tree starts going the wrong way. This also brings up the reason for multiple escape routes. If that tree goes the wrong way you don't want your only way out to be under it.
 
You have already moved past the first step! You've done it twice and want to do it more.

And how do you kow you won't become as good as your boyfriend? That's impure thinkiing. Just because you are a girl? I bet he is way better now than the first two he tried. You will too!

I find felling big things scarier than climbing by far. It helps me to set a rope almost every time if there is anything that could possibly get crushed by a bad fall, no matter how unlikely it will go in the wrong direction. It helps to build confidence too.

If some of the trees are limbed off before the spar comes down, practice on those, because then you can forget about the crown and concentrate on your notch and back cut completely.

Keep an axe or heavy hammer on hand and learn to use wedges.

You have more time than you think you do falling a tree if you cut well. Take a LOT of time getting the notch just right. But you DO have to move eventually when the tree commits to the hinge. And as people far better than I have pointed out, you better be prepared to move fast if something unanticipated happens. Never forget about the crown.

And good luck to you!
 
Big tree felling is something to have shakes on is normal. It is the excitement of knowing this is going to be fun. I am teaching someone new to felling I go over notches . Just take some 4'-5' spars stand them up and secure them and go over notches. 1 and I repeat this 1 always look at the tree walk around the tree to see if anything is off about it. Lean and heavy branch load on one side, widow makers, dead branches, vines of entangled limbs from another tree. If you have any doubts after you make the notch, set the chain brake and etch a line to show a level spot to make your back cut.
An old logger I learned from and still collect wisdom from used to make a mark about where the holding wood is to stop sawing. There are a bunch of books on felling a tree. Always bring wedges and know proper wedge placement, yes something to set the wedges to. DON'T ever turn your back on a falling tree retreat slow and eyes on the tree.
 
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You have already moved past the first step! You've done it twice and want to do it more.

And how do you kow you won't become as good as your boyfriend? That's impure thinkiing. Just because you are a girl? I bet he is way better now than the first two he tried. You will too!

I find felling big things scarier than climbing by far. It helps me to set a rope almost every time if there is anything that could possibly get crushed by a bad fall, no matter how unlikely it will go in the wrong direction. It helps to build confidence too.

If some of the trees are limbed off before the spar comes down, practice on those, because then you can forget about the crown and concentrate on your notch and back cut completely.

Keep an axe or heavy hammer on hand and learn to use wedges.

You have more time than you think you do falling a tree if you cut well. Take a LOT of time getting the notch just right. But you DO have to move eventually when the tree commits to the hinge. And as people far better than I have pointed out, you better be prepared to move fast if something unanticipated happens. Never forget about the crown.

And good luck to you!

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Not just because I am a girl but because he gets to do tree work everyday. Usually on his days off he is itching to get in a tree. I believe a strong reason I get so nervous is because I have my bf standing right there next to me. I don't want to mess up and have him not let me learn anymore. I want to prove to him I can do it.

When I first seen him up in a tree I was terrified. Then one day I decided I wanted to give it a whirl. My first tree climb was hard. Once I got up I didn't want to get down. I am not scared of heights but had little faith in my rope. He kept telling me I had to learn to trust them. After alittle encouragment I let go and lowered to the ground. Half way down I wanted to go back up again. I realized why he loved his job so much.

My second climb didn't go so well. He was trying to teach me ways to get up a tree without using spikes, he doesn't like to use them unless he has to. He was already up in the tree and I was mid air about ten feet below him. (Not sure what everythings actual name is so bare with me lol) I noticed that the knot that I was pushing up each time I thrusted up wasn't catching. I quickly wrapped the rope around my feet and stood up bringing the rope close to me and getting a better grip. I made sure to stay calm and collected. I yelled up to him and made him aware of the situation. He made it to me in seconds and took me to the ground. He wanted to stop then but I said no. I was not going to give up.

I finally made it up in the tree but since that I haven't climbed. I think part of the reason is because I messed up. So now I am fearful if I mess up again I will be stuck with pulling brush or stacking logs. I don't want to be on the ground forever.
 
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One piece of advice I can give is to pay attention to your cut obviously but also pay attention to what the top is doing as well. You are going to see that top move before anything else. When I was working for ECROW I can't tell you how many times inexperienced guys with chain saws almost had trees come down on them because the tree came back on them but they didn't notice because they were to busy staring at their back cut. With ear plugs in and a saw running you aren't likely to hear someone yell when the tree starts going the wrong way. This also brings up the reason for multiple escape routes. If that tree goes the wrong way you don't want your only way out to be under it.

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This is the one thing he told me several times. He told me to watch the back cut and then he said watch the top of the tree as well. So I asked which one. He made it very clear to keep a close I on both but pay alittle more attention to the top. As soon as I seen the tree start to move I started yelling "Baby I am nervous." A couple seconds later the tree was down and I looked to him and seen him smiling.
 
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