Hung up Poplar

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I have made some scary, yet calculated decisions in my life, but I would not cut under a hung up tree like that guy did. I'm a family man. And I want to be one for a long time. I personally think that was a stupid thing to do. But, that is just my opinion.
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What about this for an idea.

He had a cable attached for pulling it on a tractor etc so he left a fat hinge.

But how about if you also had a guy rope out the back which had to be released for the tree to fall (prior to tractor pull). You would then make your back cut, clear out, guy rope is dropped loose and then tractor roars off into the sunset whilst the mug with the saw has to clean up.
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Ok, finally read thru the thread. Some of the critics on here have some good points to bear in mind for the future. I accept the criticism re. working beneath such a bad tree, and even maybe felling it. We spent quite a while discussing the pros and cons of each way of doing the job. I accept that felling with a pushing chain is not the best way, but in my defence, I was slightly more concerned with a large hanger over my head in the adjacent tree that was wedged up there tightly, worried that if there was any movement at all that would be the thing that took me out, not the butt of the pop. Granted it was a dangerous tree, granted I may even be the "mug" in this instance. By cutting with the saw in the manner I did, I was able to watch what was occurring around me. The trees went down according to the plan we had made, and this time \i'm still here to tell the tale. I would never expect anyone else to do the fell, if I felt it was at all dangerous. I took the risk, high as it was, but it was well calculated. By showing film of what we do, we leave ourselves wide open to criticism, and hopefully many of you with far more expertise than me will help to educate, not just me but others by your comments.
 
Ninja man

When I was refering to you as the mug with saw I meant that as though you drew the short straw and had to fell it.

You are right, many hazards in all directions. However anticipation and a cleared escape path was a good start.

One thing we've done on bad fells is have one of those Fox40 loud wolf whistles. An observer is watching looking for dislodged hangers, whatever, in the event of a problem blows the whistle to alert the cutter.

The way you slowly walked out of there showed that it was going nowhere in a hurry, and also as you are making the back cut you are keenly watching that it doesn't open or close etc.

I understand that anybody putting video up is open to criticism, many times from those who do not.
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One good and valid point you make Ekka is that of having a spotter in case anything moves in a hurry, in this instance it was Steve, who was also shooting the vid. The point of using a whistle is a good one. I always carry a mountain rescue whistle on my person, alongside a rescue knife and personal 1st aid kit. Quite what use any of these items would have been had it gone pear-shaped, god alone knows!! BUT!! always be prepared, have a clear escape route, andkeep your wits about you!!
 
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I always carry a mountain rescue whistle on my person,

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Can you really hear these whistles over a MS660 at full revs?
 
I couldn't possibly use that Ekka, too many connotations with the Blitz.

What about using a very long skinny bamboo pole and just nudging the feller on the shoulder if its starting to look bad?
 
If you need to use a whistle to warn the feller that the tree is collapsing on top of him don't you think that it's too little too late?

I mean, when the feller finally hears you blasting away on your whistle there will be just enough time to look up and see the tree collapsing on him.

We should never be in a position in treework where we are having to blow whistles to warn fellers of their impending doom.

Maybe you should have cut the poplar at the base and hauled it out with the tractor.

Its better to have some kind of eye contact all the time during the fell.

Continual eye contact.
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Steve
Thanks for the Video!I really enjoyed the soundtrack and the footage,good stuff mate!
Grover
I've spent some time in Romainia and apart from skinny Horse's pulling Carts overloaded with firewood,didn't see any evidence of the high caliber Tree work you seem to demand.
Do post a Video to prove me wrong.
 
To answer the query about the whistle, in the UK it is part of the recommended ppe to be carried in arb and forestry work. As to whether it can be heard over a 660 on full song, I honestly dont know. My eye contact was on the hazards around me, buggered if I want to be making contact with Steves eyes anyway, lol. As far a debating whether or not we used correct procedure, well we probably didnt do everything text-book style, but not every job fits in the the book ways. But we did have a plan workedout with what we had to hand. The tree was firmly lodged in the beech, the tractor available to us was only about 100hp, to tried to pull it out with that, at the only available angle we could get, may have exacerbated the problem. Everything we did, from beginning to end went exactly according to our plan, and the trees ended up exactly where intended. We can go on and on about thist till the cows come home, I'm not saying this is the way for others to do the job, but the way we did the job. I'm always open to constructive criticsm, and am probably my own worst critic at that!! Anyways, lets see some vid of the work of others!! Its always interesting and keeps the forums alive.
 
Whistles are generally used to stop all work, when uninvited guests walk inside the barricading, or when one of the crew sees something that warrents work stopping..previously missed hanger/vine/leaner etc...

Well at least thats the role they play for us, every now and again (month or so)one of us will blow the whistle on a job just to make sure the three of us are switched on.

I thought the vid was honest and upfront, you would have known you'd get some criticsm esp since the job you were doing was so tricky. I thank you for posting and thank others for their comments (where constructive) I don't know that I would have thought about the holding line mentioned by Ekka, its not a bad idea and I'll keep it in mind the next time we do a nasty hang up.

You didn't do everthing text book and none of us do if we're honest about it, but it's important to identify where we could improve and remind each other how we can mke our own jobs safer in the process..thanks again for the vid.
 
I use a whistle and can Honestly say they can be heard over Sepultura on 7.1 surround speakersfull bore....and a Husky 394. Theyre loud(cool), yet functional as a safety device...(cooler)
 
If I remember correctly all these years ago doing my NPTC´s, never fell a tree from the ground which has a hung up tree already in it. Hope the HSE dont lay there hands on that Video....
 
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