Back in '08 I tried to fell a leaning maple with a handsaw and a prayer

I was young and broke, figured I could save the $500 a crew would charge. Spent three hours making a bad notch, then the tree sat back on my saw. My buddy had to pull me out with his truck when the bar got pinched. Now I won't touch a leaner over 15 degrees without a winch line in a neighboring tree, and I rent a 36-inch bar if the wood looks at all stressed. The change happened after I watched a trunk barber-chair six feet from me during a storm cleanup job. Anyone have a favorite rigging setup for these sketchy back-leaners?

3 comments

3 Comments

simonreed1mo ago

After seeing a barber-chair that close, how did you change your notch and hinge setup for those back-leaners? I've started using a deeper notch and leaving a thicker hinge, but I'm still never fully comfortable with the tension.

wendy_clark1mo ago

Good lord, a handsaw on a leaning maple? That's the kind of story that makes my back hurt just reading it. Watching a tree barber-chair that close would change anyone's mind for sure.

the_gray1mo ago

Come on, it's just a tree falling wrong. People act like a barber-chair is some life changing event. I've seen a few pop and yeah it's loud, but you just step back. It's not like the whole forest explodes. Makes for a good story more than anything.