Safe Tree Fall'n

Jamin_Mayer

Jamin_Mayer

Location
Longmont, CO
Safe Tree Fall\'n

Is it common to stay with the tree while it is falling?
bangtard.gif

Watch what happens to this guy.

If he continues to fall trees like this, how long before he gets squashed?

I don't understand the need to stay close to the tree when it is falling over. I've been trained make an escape path prior to cutting the tree and to take that path when it is in motion.

Anyone else have some pointers?
 
Re: Safe Tree Fall\'n

I was also taught to establish an escape route prior to cutting and when the tree starts to go use that route. This is really important when allot of of limbs and debris surround the tree. This guy is going to wake up with a headache one of these days.
 
Re: Safe Tree Fall\'n

Looks like he could've walked away after the wedge was all the way in. And why cut with only one hand while the other rests on the trunk? Oh, I know! So he could "feel" when it was about to go over.
 
Re: Safe Tree Fall\'n

The guy is a logger. Different OSHA regs and different breed of cat. And we wonder why we get hammered by an OSHA inspector that doesn't know the difference between logging and Arborculture!
 
Re: Safe Tree Fall\'n

Few west coast fallers in the states have a lot of real training, but this guy was just being lazy (and got caught for it) by not making an escape route and using it. He may have been paying for a past mistake (all the brush around the tree likely is a tree that went the wrong way, though it may have been a windfall).

I was working with a professional faller the other day, we were pulling brush up a slope with a pickup. There was one spar in the way and I was going to fall it but knew the log would still be in the way. He said, I'll fall it and rub it on this other spar and that'll kick the butt up the hill. He fell it at the curving lower trunk of this other spar, a window of maybe 2 feet at a distance of 45 feet. It went perfectly.

Most fallers are very skilled workers, sometimes (like all of us) they get a little complacent and get a little warning like the one this faller got, and hopefully that's all.
 
Re: Safe Tree Fall\'n

I think the guy new he was in a dangerous place to start with, why else would he have his eye on the top as the tree was falling? Vids and pics often times don't do a very good job of explaining the whys and hows. He lucked out this time, I wonder if that changes how he does things in the future?
 
Re: Safe Tree Fall\'n

Yo Jamin, Years ago I learned real quick this way. I was clearing a lot and was getting ready to drop this black cherry. This tree was about 75' and was crooked. When I cut it I found myself watching it fall. When the top hit the ground, it sent the butt up into the air flopping to the side into my chest. Knockes me straight to the ground. The impact blew my helmet and safty glasses off. I was able to get up, but was sore. Could have been alot worse, but havn't done it again.
 
Re: Safe Tree Fall\'n

Today I caught myself standing a little closer than usual to a small scotch pine as it went over. Can't really say what possessed me to shorten my retreat distance. When it hit the ground it just laid flat, but I thought "Jeez man, am I losin' it or what?! Back the heck up!"

I hate working Saturdays.
 
Re: Safe Tree Fall\'n

[ QUOTE ]
The idea behind watching the top is so you'll know when the tree begins to move.
It's a fairly common practise.

[/ QUOTE ]


Or,
You can watch the back cut open up.
 
Re: Safe Tree Fall\'n

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The idea behind watching the top is so you'll know when the tree begins to move.
It's a fairly common practise.

[/ QUOTE ]


Or,
You can watch the back cut open up.

[/ QUOTE ]

That is my preference too Jim. My neck just ain't made to look up there like that.
smirk.gif
 
Re: Safe Tree Fall\'n

[ QUOTE ]
Yo Jamin, Years ago I learned real quick this way. I was clearing a lot and was getting ready to drop this black cherry. This tree was about 75' and was crooked. When I cut it I found myself watching it fall. When the top hit the ground, it sent the butt up into the air flopping to the side into my chest. Knockes me straight to the ground. The impact blew my helmet and safty glasses off. I was able to get up, but was sore. Could have been alot worse, but havn't done it again.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've seen those crooked type do that too! It is a sight to see.
 
Re: Safe Tree Fall\'n

[ QUOTE ]
At the very end of the video, something did fall outta the tree he was falling!

[/ QUOTE ]

Good eye! I didn't notice that before. You can see that he bats it away as it is falling on him....
bigeyes.gif
 
Re: Safe Tree Fall\'n

IMO. At 38 seconds he could have began his escape to safety. This would have given him at least 10 seconds to get out of that mess of limbs.

I understand lumber yards want good timber to process. And that he may have had to keep cutting for the sake of harvesting good wood, but I'm sorry. I wouldn't risk it like that.

Hopefully, this was as much as a learning tool for him as it is for me...
 
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