Helmet cam Video

[Kevin]

I would opt for a rope on the big ones.
If you had two ropes going you could be setting one while your ground crew was removing the other one.

 

[WPArborist]

It is a cut that you certainly hafe to practice to become good at. If there is any doubt on whether you can man-handle the piece, then certainly put a tag line on it.

If you are worried about the piece falling back on you or falling off the cut prematurely, try making the cuts parallel with the lean, I find this holds it better.

The snap cut isn't something to be scared of.

WP

 

[Gord]

If the spar is more or less plumb, the pieces can be guided off by making an underbed deep enough to undermine the block or log's center of gravity. When the bypass cut is completed from the back, always under the first cut of course, the piece will fall off the stem on it's own accord.

Pic attached of the last piece of a Douglas-fir stem. A tether is on the block to keep the block from running down the hill.