Roger: 0:02

Talking Trees with Lily and Jad. Welcome to today's episode of Talking Trees. Today, we're focusing on the critical techniques involved in tree felling. We'll provide detailed information on various types of cuts, their advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, we'll highlight the importance of safety during tree felling and offer tips on how to avoid dangerous situations such as barber chairing. We'll also introduce you to the different tools used in the felling process. Join us as we dive into these essential topics. Stay tuned.

Jad: 0:41

All right, so today we're going back to basics.

Lilly: 0:43

Back to basics.

Jad: 0:44

Ground-based tree felling.

Lilly: 0:45

Yeah.

Jad: 0:46

You know, you probably already know your way around a chainsaw.

Lilly: 0:48

Of course.

Jad: 0:50

But you know, sometimes it's good to revisit the fundamentals Absolutely and maybe pick up a new trick or two along the way.

Lilly: 0:55

Yeah, always good to refresh and refine.

Jad: 0:57

Exactly. We've got some great sources to help us out today. First up, we've got a really solid article from husqvarna on the six steps to successful tree felling six steps. Yeah, they lay it all out really clearly. And then we're going to jump into a couple youtube videos. Uh, one from finished lumberjack. Right, it's all about nailing that notch oh yeah, their videos are great really visual exactly, and then we'll check out a super comprehensive tutorial by Guilty of Treeson at Eastside Tree Works.

Lilly: 1:29

Oh yeah, I've seen that one. It's super in-depth.

Jad: 1:31

Yeah, he goes into a lot of detail. So we're basically covering the whole process here, from planning to execution to safety.

Lilly: 1:38

The whole nine yards.

Jad: 1:39

That's right. So let's start with that Husfarno article. They really emphasize the importance of that initial assessment and planning phase.

Lilly: 1:47

And they're absolutely right. You know it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of getting to the actual felling, but that groundwork is crucial. Yeah, you got to identify those obstacles. You know power lines, structures, even the lay of the land.

Jad: 2:01

Right All those things you might not think about right away.

Lilly: 2:03

Yeah, they all factor in.

Jad: 2:05

And they have really practical tips too, like using a plumb line to double check the natural fall direction.

Lilly: 2:09

Plumb line. It's a classic for a reason.

Jad: 2:12

I know right, Seems obvious.

Lilly: 2:13

Yeah.

Jad: 2:14

But I've definitely been caught out by a subtle lean before.

Lilly: 2:16

Oh yeah, We've all been there.

Jad: 2:18

And then they also making sure you're properly geared up, having enough fuel.

Lilly: 2:23

Yeah, those little things can make a big difference.

Jad: 2:26

Huge difference, right.

Lilly: 2:26

In the flow of the job.

Jad: 2:28

Yeah, totally. It's like that, saying you know, proper planning prevents piss, poor performance.

Lilly: 2:33

Absolutely. Couldn't have said it better myself.

Jad: 2:36

And beyond, just like the practical stuff, you know, there's also the liability aspect.

Lilly: 2:40

Oh yeah, for sure.

Jad: 2:41

Husker Varno touches on safety zones, but I think it's worth really emphasizing. You know, client communication, notifying neighbors if necessary, Right, and of course, adhering to any local regulations.

Lilly: 2:53

All that legal stuff, yeah it's important, super important.

Jad: 2:56

A little foresight in that area can save you a lot of headaches down the line.

Lilly: 3:00

Absolutely.

Jad: 3:01

All right, so we've covered planning.

Lilly: 3:02

Planning's done.

Jad: 3:03

Now let's get to the exciting part making those cuts.

Lilly: 3:07

Let's do it.

Jad: 3:07

Both the Husqvarna article and the Guilty of Treason video. They both emphasize proper pruning technique.

Lilly: 3:14

Oh yeah.

Jad: 3:15

Before you even think about the felling cut.

Lilly: 3:17

Absolutely.

Jad: 3:18

You got to clear the way. Yeah, that top-down approach pulling the chain to clear the way it's essential.

Lilly: 3:22

It is. You're creating a safe path for the saw, making sure nothing interferes with the tree's descent.

Jad: 3:27

Right. And speaking of felling cuts, this is where that guilty of treason video really shine. A treasure trove of different notch types. Humboldt conventional open face gap cut.

Lilly: 3:38

He's got them all.

Jad: 3:39

He's got them all. It's like a master class in felling, you know, and it really highlighted how each situation might call for a slightly different approach. So what I loved about this video was that he didn't just show the technique.

Lilly: 3:51

Right.

Jad: 3:52

He actually dove into the why behind it.

Lilly: 3:54

Yeah, the reasoning.

Jad: 3:55

Like, for example, the Humboldt notch. He demonstrated beautifully how it can minimize breakage when the butt hits the ground.

Lilly: 4:02

Yeah, that's crucial, especially if you're dealing with valuable timber.

Jad: 4:07

Oh, absolutely Minimizing that damage. It means a cleaner worksite.

Lilly: 4:10

For sure.

Jad: 4:11

Potentially higher quality lumber.

Lilly: 4:13

Right.

Jad: 4:13

Good for you, good for the client.

Lilly: 4:15

Everybody wins.

Jad: 4:16

Everybody wins. And then he contrasted that with the conventional notch.

Lilly: 4:19

The classic.

Jad: 4:20

The classic which we all know it's quick and simple.

Lilly: 4:22

Yeah.

Jad: 4:22

But carries a higher risk of that butt shattering.

Lilly: 4:24

Yeah, you don't want that.

Jad: 4:26

You don't want that, and he even showed a few examples of that happening.

Lilly: 4:29

Oh, wow.

Jad: 4:29

Which really drove the point home.

Lilly: 4:31

Ouch yeah.

Jad: 4:32

But then you have the gap cut. The gap cut, which is all about precision, controlling the direction of the fall.

Lilly: 4:37

Yeah, being really intentional, he's good at that.

Jad: 4:44

He really is. And for those tricky back-leaning trees.

Lilly: 4:47

Oh yeah, those are fun.

Jad: 4:48

He showcased the open face cut which gives you that extended control during the fall.

Lilly: 4:53

You need all the control you can get with those.

Jad: 4:55

Exactly. It's definitely a technique I'll be revisiting for those challenging celebrations.

Lilly: 4:59

Yeah, good one to have in your back pocket.

Jad: 5:01

For sure.

Lilly: 5:02

Yeah, and you know, no matter which notch you choose, there are those underlying principles that are consistent, you know, maintaining a proper hinge.

Jad: 5:10

Right.

Lilly: 5:10

Avoiding Dutchman.

Jad: 5:11

Yeah.

Lilly: 5:12

Understanding how compression and tension would behave.

Jad: 5:15

Right.

Lilly: 5:16

Those are the keys to a successful and predictable fall.

Jad: 5:19

Yeah, it's a good reminder that, even when you're trying out a new technique, those foundational principles still apply Always. Those foundational principles still apply. Now the videos also got into some more specialized techniques that I found really interesting, like the bore cut. Oh yeah, the CIS.

Lilly: 5:35

The bore cut and the CIS. Well, yeah, those are. Those are techniques that you might not use every day, but they can be real game changers in certain situations.

Jad: 5:44

Yeah, in those specific cases.

Lilly: 5:46

Exactly and Guilty of Treason demonstrated that bore cut yeah In those specific cases Exactly and guilty of treason, demonstrated that bore cut, yeah. And I was particularly struck by his caution about the reduced control during the fall.

Jad: 5:55

Yeah, it's a trade-off.

Lilly: 5:56

It is a trade-off you have to consider carefully. You got to weigh the risks and benefits.

Jad: 6:00

For sure. So it's not just about knowing the technique, it's about understanding when and where to apply it safely and effectively.

Lilly: 6:07

Absolutely the right tool for the job.

Jad: 6:09

Right. Have you found yourself using the boar cut much in your work.

Lilly: 6:12

I have, yeah, especially when I'm dealing with those weaker or wooded species that are prone to the barber chairing. The boar cut can help prevent that, but, as Guilty of Treason pointed out, it does require a different approach to managing the fall.

Jad: 6:26

Right, it changes things up a bit.

Lilly: 6:27

It does.

Jad: 6:28

What about that? Well, that looked pretty impressive in the finished lumberjack video.

Lilly: 6:32

Oh yeah.

Jad: 6:33

Almost like turning the tree into a lever.

Lilly: 6:35

It's a fascinating technique.

Jad: 6:36

Yeah.

Lilly: 6:37

It's all about using an angled cut to enhance tension and swing the tree in a specific direction. It's not something you'd use on every tree but, in the right circumstances, it can be incredibly effective.

Jad: 6:49

I bet it requires a good understanding of tree mechanics. Oh yeah, and a precise hand.

Lilly: 6:54

Definitely.

Jad: 6:55

Have you ever incorporated that into your work?

Lilly: 6:57

I have, yeah, in situations where space was limited and I needed to carefully control the direction of the fall.

Jad: 7:03

I see.

Lilly: 7:04

It's a technique that rewards patience and precision.

Jad: 7:07

It sounds like it.

Lilly: 7:08

It does.

Jad: 7:10

So you know we've been talking about adapting to these challenging situations.

Lilly: 7:13

Right.

Jad: 7:14

And that brings us to another interesting point from guilty of treason felling, backleaning trees using that back cut first method.

Lilly: 7:22

Oh yeah, the back cut first method that's. That's one that definitely requires a heightened level of awareness and caution.

Jad: 7:29

Yeah, those back leaners, they can be tricky.

Lilly: 7:32

They can throw some real curveballs your way.

Jad: 7:34

They can and guilty of treason, did a good job of highlighting those safety precautions.

Lilly: 7:38

Yeah, he did.

Jad: 7:39

Like stabilizing with wedges.

Lilly: 7:41

Wedges are your friend.

Jad: 7:42

Making sure there's no wind.

Lilly: 7:43

No wind.

Jad: 7:44

And having backup equipment on hand in case things don't go as planned.

Lilly: 7:48

Always good to have a plan B.

Jad: 7:50

You can never be too careful with those back leaners Never. Speaking of tools, the Husvarna article gave a good overview of the range of equipment involved in felling from wedges and breaking bars. The classics To winches and even hand force in certain situations.

Lilly: 8:05

Yeah, you got to use what you got to use.

Jad: 8:07

Sometimes it's low tech it is, and guilty of treason. Brought those tools to life in his demonstrations.

Lilly: 8:13

He's a good demonstrator.

Jad: 8:14

He is seeing him place those wedges strategically or utilize a rope and winch for controlled felling.

Lilly: 8:21

Yeah.

Jad: 8:22

It really drove home the importance of selecting the right tool for the job.

Lilly: 8:26

Absolutely.

Jad: 8:27

Sometimes it's about using those tools in creative ways to manipulate the tree's fall For sure and ensure a safe outcome.

Lilly: 8:35

It's like an art form. Really it is. It's an art and a science.

Jad: 8:37

It is, and it's one that requires constant learning and refinement.

Lilly: 8:41

Absolutely.

Jad: 8:42

Whether it's a new felling technique or a different way to use a familiar tool, there's always something to be gained from these resources.

Lilly: 8:50

Always something new to learn.

Jad: 8:51

Yeah, it really is all about continuous learning, isn't?

Lilly: 8:54

it yeah.

Jad: 8:54

Even for seasoned pros like yourself, there's always something new to discover.

Lilly: 8:59

Always something new, a fresh perspective.

Jad: 9:01

Yeah, and when it comes to tree felling, there's no room for complacency.

Lilly: 9:04

No, you got to stay sharp.

Jad: 9:05

It's about combining that foundational knowledge with a willingness to explore new techniques, absolutely New approaches. So we've covered a lot of ground. Today. We have, from that meticulous planning and those different notch types to specialized tools and techniques for handling those tricky situations, those tricky trees, and it's clear that safety underpins every decision.

Lilly: 9:26

Safety first.

Jad: 9:27

From the initial assessment to that final cut, whether you're choosing the right notch or setting up your escape route, it's all about mitigating risk.

Lilly: 9:36

Mitigating risk yeah.

Jad: 9:37

Ensuring a predictable outcome. You got it. I think the key takeaway for me is that each tree, each site presents its own unique set of challenges. It's about having a diverse toolkit, both in terms of techniques and equipment, and knowing when and how to apply them effectively.

Lilly: 9:54

Exactly.

Jad: 9:55

It's about being adaptable, resourceful and always prioritizing safety. And sometimes it's about being adaptable, resourceful and always prioritizing safety.

Lilly: 10:01

Always.

Jad: 10:02

And sometimes it's about taking a step back, revisiting the fundamentals and maybe even trying something new.

Lilly: 10:07

Sometimes you got to go back to basics.

Jad: 10:08

You never know what valuable insights you might discover.

Lilly: 10:11

That's the truth.

Jad: 10:12

So, as you head out to your next job, I'm curious what technique or tool are you going to revisit or explore further? Maybe it's that humble notch for minimizing breakage.

Lilly: 10:24

Yeah, that's a good one.

Jad: 10:25

Or perhaps you'll give the bore cut a try on a weaker wooded tree. It's a great question to ponder. Each job presents a learning opportunity and by staying curious and open to new ideas we can continue to elevate our craft and ensure that every tree we fell comes down safely and efficiently.

Lilly: 10:42

Well said.

Jad: 10:43

Well, thanks for joining me on this deep dive into tree felling.

Lilly: 10:46

It's been a pleasure.

Jad: 10:47

Keep those chains sharp and those helmets on.

Lilly: 10:49

You got it at tree felling. It's been a pleasure.

Roger: 10:53

Keep those chains sharp and those helmets on. You got it. Thank you for joining us as we explored the essential techniques and safety measures involved in tree felling, From understanding different types of cuts to avoiding hazards like barber chairing. We hope you found this episode both informative and practical. If you enjoyed today's discussion, please share our podcast with your friends and leave us a review. Your support helps us continue to bring you valuable insights into the world of trees. Until next time, stay safe and keep appreciating the beauty and complexity of our natural world. See you in the next episode of Talking Trees.