Barberchair Intentional vs unintentional

[@xjohnson42]

Thumbs up for being a genuine, good-intentioned, hard working, professional with a dangerous job.Trying to improve your field. wonderful.

[@docktorleaky5869]

I have found, from watching other tree felling videos, that many times people will use their car or truck to cushion the blow, so the tree will not damage the road or driveway.

[@donmoore7785]

And their homes, in some cases.

[@fleepss2407]

LMAOO

[@greglees4011]

😆🤣😆🤣

[@samtimo3002]

😐😑🤨

[@BachelorCigarTalks]

I'm just glad the tree was okay

[@MeyersCTR]

I've been using chain saws for 40 years. If I learned one thing from this video, it's that I've been lucky.

[@michaelmcnaughton1535]

God yes. My Dad and I used to do a fair amount of logging tho we knew very little technical about it. The good lord was watching over us.

[@antoniocortez2697]

WILL THINKING COULD B WRONG BUT IF THEY TRIED IT THIS WAY MIGHT B BETTER WHERE EVER THE BROKEN PART OF THE TREE IS TIE A CHAIN UP THERE SO THEN ANOTHER ONE BELOW IT DO NOT CUT ABOVE THE CHAIN CUTTING BELOW CAUSE THEN THE TREE WILL COME APART INSTEAD IT SHOULD FALL LIKE IT WAS A TOTALLY WHOLE TREE B MORE SAFER THAT WAY IN WHATEVER YALL R DOING TRY IT OUT OK,,,

[@EwMuva]

@@antoniocortez2697 what happens when you get knocked unconscious by the chain when it pings off from being under so much pressure

[@jonathanfarmer2362]

Same here

[@BrotherTay]

You should probably stop using a saw then

[@countrylifetales2700]

I'm 60, female and just a part-time landscaper who does cut some small trees. I want to say that this is the most informative video, out of the thousands of YT arborist's videos, that I've ever seen. Thank you for being so detailed.

[@gsfbffxpdhhdf7043]

CountryLifeTales better be carful old lady this is a young mans game. Old men need to leave it to us to do tbe job they cant do nothing

[@RosenrotRtLiebchen87]

@@gsfbffxpdhhdf7043 no need to be a jerk

[@Timedelayedfuse]

"Thousands of videos" just like a woman to exaggerate.

[@ScottLRoyal]

I needed to see your drawing of the bypass Dutchman. Knowledge is power. Thanks for sharing.

[@happycamper6352]

A similar thing can happen with the angle cut going too far also. On his drawing it was the cut parallel to the ground that went too far, which is a really bad thing, but having the angle cut bypass can also cause a problem too.

[@Johnnydoxx]

Thanks for the diagram showing the potential danger of a Dutchman. I.e., not just someone being picky. Good information throughout.

[@markusgarvey]

I can't tell you how many trees have BC'd on me. Good video. I treat trees like a stick of dynamite, I have clear escape routes, and as soon as it starts to fall I'm outta there. Little trees will kill you just as dead as a big one. I had a big Madrone that was at least 12' at the base, growing horizontal. as soon as I was 1/4 way through, that thing popped so fast I didn't have time to do anything. The butt went around 20' in the air and stopped less than a foot from my head. The only thing that saved me was i was below the bottom over the stump because I was in a creek bed. It came straight back down on the stump. I had a lot of Ash trees BC on me as well.

[@Caledwyn]

Superb video Daniel. A very clear explanation of what causes Barberchairs and, more importantly for beginners in tree work, an exposition of the dangers of a Dutchman, which I think is less well known in general.

[@MrThenry1988]

Lost a friend's dad to this. He cut wood all my childhood. I've cut firewood for 20 years. I've only seen it one time and I was ready for it. I didn't know it was gonna happen, I was just ready.

[@jturtle5318]

Thank you for the diagram. I was taught to notch trees, but never saw what an improper notch would do.

[@murphy4trees]

Glad it was helpful!

[@beebob1279]

Thank you for showing the barber chair. I saw one afterward when trees fell as a result of storms. Saw a safety film earlier of a man getting killed by this.

[@bp4170]

Best explanation of an unintentional dutchman. Thank you

[@kennethsizer6217]

Thank you! One actual, real experiment is worth a month of arguing, debating, and theorizing about what *would* happen. You should definitely consider this an incredible success -- because all of us watching gained a lot of wisdom. Possibly life-saving wisdom.

[@davegillett7135]

I worked as an arborist for around 17 years and never saw a barber’s chair. Thank you for showing and explaining so well. Not pleasant cutting at head height!

[@dannylake4357]

Watched several videos on this subject. You have explained it very well thank you.

[@murphy4trees]

Glad it was helpful!

[@arbitrage2141]

Ive seen several videos of injuries/close calls where the bottom of the trunk swings back and up like that. Always wondered what caused it and this is exactly it. Im doing land clearing at a ranch and its my first job ever getting hands on felling trees, we've already had some minor incidents and small injuries so I started looking into things like this. Thank you so much for this video

[@garybecker7246]

Good Information. Thank you for the video. I have never had a tree barber chair since I have been cutting, but knowing what to look for and how to avoid one may save my life one day. Thanks again

[@shawnbarker6463]

The more I learn about tree work the more I worry about the new guys on the jobsite. There's just so many dangers that must be considered. It's a wonder I'm still alive after being a self taught owner of a local tree service. Great video.

[@jackfiercetree5205]

I cut my gums in hip deep snow, clearing widowmakers from the NE ice storm in the late 90's. Luckily I was young and inexperienced enough, I had NO IDEA how dangerous everything I did was. There was someone knowledgable guiding me, but looking back after everything I've learned, I was totally riding the seat of my pants for weeks.

[@garycsfunlife]

Definitely one of the better explanations I've heard for this thank you

[@Dinoxt12]

He's a expert at what he does 4Sure...thanks for the lesson . Ash trees make for good base ball bats also in the straight sections of the tree sometimes.

[@jasonroku4219]

Best vid i have seen on the subject. You are likely saving lives

[@oldguysrock2170]

I have a lot of Aspen / Popple trees. They naturally “Barber Chair” when they fall. Being a self taught logger on my very wooded property, I take them down by starting to process them at the tree tops until their own weight brings them down. When I see one, I really evaluate the tree before any cutting. I actually had a very large maple Barber Chair that fell split30’ up. The hinge was the part that Barber Chaired and the tree remained connected. When I cut the top branches off, the tree kept dropping where it was connected with each under cut. To this day, the tree is still hung up on itself as it is to risky to mess with.

[@tillkrieger1048]

Very good idea, you were extremely informative and really detailed. I agree that I don't think the barberchair technique will be used ever really. It is pretty dangerous and so it makes sense, but the properties you were explaining are really interesting. Thank you for this informative video!

[@lennie8098]

I use the barber chair intentionally on a tree that is up to 12" diameter at the base and 3 to 4 feet high so I can cut the tree slowly so I dont damage a lawn or because I want the trunk of the tree to be off the ground to cut it up easily.

[@monica911turbo]

Great video! Great explanations and fantastic footage . Thank you very much. You learn so much about proper, safe techniques when you understand why failures happen. The knowledge will shared with us will make anyone who never understood how a barber chair occurs, become a safer tree cutter!

[@niagra898]

Holy crap this is fascinating-love this stuff,just started watching Bucking Billy Ray! Thanks for doing this 😃

[@dougreid2351]

Ihave no earthly idea why this showed up in my suggestions today, two years later but I am VERY grateful. Always informative and easy to watch, your humility is very endearing. But this takes the cake, the Blue Ribbon one, the Best in Show trophy. How can I repay you?

[@murphy4trees]

Your praise is plenty. Just be careful and always do the right thing!

[@tjlovesrachel]

Thought the mailbox was gunna get it

[@jeremybartlett1706]

Hi! I know this video is 2 years old and you may not care, but that video you showed numerous times with the barberchair, was caused because the faller didn't stay WITH the cut; the tree started to move, BEFORE he finished the back cut... his notch was fine, it wasn't a dutchman, he didn't stay with the stump and keep cutting. Sometimes you need to bail, some times you need to stay with the stump.

[@murphy4trees]

If you are talking about the one I used as an example. If you watch the original video you'll see him go back to the tree and try to push over the remaining stump. It's most obvious from the movement of the stump that the notch was bypassed.

[@jeremybartlett1706]

@@murphy4trees Yeah, the one you used as an example, you re-played it numerous times. The tree is on a slight lean. The notch looks fine, the notch in my opinion, is quite visible. In your illustrated sketch example afterwards, you have a by-passed dutchman and a completed backcut. In the video, he has a perfectly fine notch, no dutchman, but an incomplete backcut. The tree starts to move, so he leaves the stump. The tree then stops, because the backcut is not complete. He then goes to complete the backcut, undecided and it barberchairs before he has a chance to cut the backcut completely. He should have stayed with the stump in that scenario and not left the stump until his backcut was complete. He needed to keep cutting, his notch was fine. You can see it clearly and you can also see, that he has left too much holding wood and left the stump too soon. This resulted in partial movement of the tree and a sheer barberchair. If he had a bypassed duthcman, the tree likely would have twisted or rocked or turned. It went straight, indicating even notch and felling lines, an even backcut, but an incomplete backcut with too much holding wood.

[@travisthiboutot4943]

Very informative video and thank you thank you thank you for toning down the saw sound! No one does this lol

[@MrThenry1988]

Glad I saw the bypass info. I cut 15 cord a year to burn. I've done this very thing. No big barber chair. But tough to walk back up to a tree that hangs up.

[@louislax14]

A while ago I saw a logging documentary in the alps where they would use somewhat of a barber chair to keep the foot of the trunk from slipping off and rolling down the slope, and to lay several tree across the slope into/over each other to create natural avalanche barrier with the trunks. Can't find the footage, but I do think like you said, a barber chair, even in controlled conditions in nowhere near enough control to fall a tree! Stay safe, and thank you for sharing your experiments and experience.

[@erichsh58]

I just watched another video where the logger used some kind of step cut method for falling an ash tree that was leaning heavily. It had lots of favorable comments from other experienced loggers and arborists, but nobody explained why he did what he did or what could happen if it wasn't cut properly. I never heard of a "barberchair" until this video and your excellent explanation.

[@topsaw]

Great, love getting walked through an intentional barberchair

[@glenparks5175]

My father was awesome at felling trees, I wish I would have learned more from him while I was young, and I haven't cut in awhile and learned last weekend, my eyesight not that good anymore and cut too much hold wood out, and had a back leaner that hold wood let loose and jumped off stump and went totally wrong way, but at least nothing or nobody hurt, at least I learned a lesson!!!!!

[@kennethsizer6217]

Amen! Those days stay with you, don't they??

[@mrgallagher7072]

"Nothing we can do wrong" Famous last words

[@auxpowerunit]

That was the best explanation of Barber Chair that I've seen !

[@useazebra]

That is a big-ash tree

[@bellgab]

I've been cutting trees for decades. My grandpa taught me how to log. You can wrap the tree with a chain with a grab hook above the cut, or wrap with heavy poly line. I've seen people cut a cuved leaner like alder and the stump kicks back 10 feet.

[@ericchandler90]

3:14 did someone just crack open a cold one?

[@turtlezed]

ha ha ha yeah sounded just like it.....

[@wilfdarr]

That diagram was really educational. Thank you for taking the time

[@limerind7493]

A question for the more experienced. I have a forward leaning ash and was thinking about tightly chaining a heavy log chain around the tree about 18" above my back cut to prevent/reduce splitting and barber chair?? A larger face cut?? Its 20 inch diameter tree

[@fee8255]

I can’t seem to find a video of he “Murphy “ cut. The time saver cut. I seen it once and didn’t save it. Could you please direct me to that video. Your videos help me daily, along with other tree 🌲 folk. Much appreciated.....

[@murphy4trees]

There are a few cuts.. not sure which one you're thinking about. Vertical snap cut, plate cut, short bar technique ... got any more details?

[@helenbruno6157]

Very informative thanks learned a lot appreciate you showing me film

[@porcus123]

basically, from the mechanics I understood, it happens when you go over the hinge on the wedge and cut the base of the tree core. It laminates the core and topples with a vertical cut. I can see it happen when the wedge is shallow and the logger tries to cut from the other side, ending up with an hinge thats not align with the core edit: would some bands help keep it from splitting near the base if you put them further high up? the image at 10:11 is my worst nightmare

[@raydreamer7566]

Great video. Your drawing and explanation were exactly what I needed. Thanks.

[@michaelpcooksey5096]

Barber chair experiment: 1. Vertically Stabilize target tree with rigging. 2. Plunge cut horizontal at center of tree where back cut is going. 3 Cut face or Humboldt 4. Plunge vertical cut up for at least 2 feet where want the barber chair to occur. 5. complete the back cut from plunge out the back. 6. Use Rigging to topple the tree and force the barber chair condition. To use a technique one has to use it and use it and use it .... modifying it as you go until you get the safe desired results... Just how committed are your intentions in developing this as a viable technique?

[@murphy4trees]

When you are intentionally trying to Barber chair a tree, there is no need to cut any kind of face.. just a waste of time... get it??? This wasn't my first rodeo.. I've been intentionally barber chairing trees for some time, though not too often. Learned some valuable things... things that can applied in the air to prevent barber chair..

[@michaelpcooksey5096]

@@murphy4trees No offense meant. Please be patient with my ignorance of both you and tree work. That would make an outstanding video, especially if could show different results. Kudos to you for your experiments.

[@ArsonistArborist]

I have intentionally barberchaired an elm over an old crappy fence, the preservation of which wasn't of great importance.. it worked fairly well, like mortise and tenon, but as you observed, the results are inconsistent. So only useful in situations where a customer maybe says "I dont really care about that flower garden or sidewalk or fence or whatever, but if you can avoid it, great. If it breaks, it's not a big deal"

[@samsngdevice5103]

Smart idea to wrap the trunk with rope. Ammetures should probably do that always.

[@alexreifschneider6709]

Even if your just falling a tree to get it down and are unconcerned where it falls. IT CAN CHAIR ON YOU! Good video.

[@AjLloyd-uy2tr]

good stuff Brother. I tree trim and find barber chair useful to control the fall. Not around tree or limb when felling. (I use winches) Thanks for posting.

[@timhallas4275]

The best way to avoid the barber-chair, particularly on leaning trees, is to first make a fairly shallow face cut, (no more than 1/3 of the tree's diameter), then during the back cut. continue cutting after the tree begins to break. Avoid the temptation to pull out and run at the first cracking sound. The thinner the hing, the less chance of trunk splitting to occur.

[@murphy4trees]

If a tree unexpectedly start to split and begins to barber chair, then the sawyer can continue cutting and try to race through the back of the hinge fast enough to make the hinge the weak point, before the trunk actually splits which can take a few seconds or happen very quickly depending on species and grain. So it remains an option in case of emergency and a good reason to keep the saws sharp.. However, there are better ways to prevent a barberchair than the race through the back of the hinge.. Setting up the hinge with a plunge cut and then back release will almost always prevent barber chair.. And there are other cuts specifically designed to prevent barber chair on heavy front leaners which give little or no directional control

[@timhallas4275]

@@murphy4trees Agreed. There is also a simpler method of avoiding the barber chair split. Chain or cable, wrapped tightly around the trunk, a foot above the cut. No surprises are the best surprises.

[@DeadwoodClimbing]

So I have a question, would an open-face notch help to prevent a barber chair then, versus a traditional or Humboldt notch?

[@murphy4trees]

no, the width of the notch does not affect the movement of the tree prior to the face closing. The depth of the notch on the other hand has a lot to do with barber chair. It's more about the hinge, and if the hinge is not weaker than the vertical grain that keeps the trunk from splitting. A shallow nothc will make it easier to split the trunk vertically. The one advantage of an open faced notch is that it makes inspection a lot easier, to make sure there is no bypass in the face cuts which can lead to BBC.

[@maryvalentine9090]

I tell you for real, as a person who grew up in timber country in Oregon, knowing a lot of loggers… Seeing a tree barber chair, whether it’s intentional or not, just about makes me pass out. I had a beloved brother-in-law who was a trusted, well respected, very experienced tree faller. Just an all-around nice guy who had been in the woods all his life. One day, he was taking down a VERY large ponderosa pine on a job. It got hung up and when he was inspecting what needed to be done next it suddenly barber chaired and killed him instantly. Even experienced fallers can be killed in the woods faster than you can say knife. It is a profession not for the faint of heart.

[@murphy4trees]

so sorry to hear that. I lost two friends to trees in the last month. One was highly skilled. The other was more of a site work guy, but had been doing tree work too for 40 years. They were two of the nicest human beings you could ever hope to meet. Seems like God takes the sinners and the saints early. The rest of us still have a purpose here.

[@robertgregg979]

Just curious why didn’t you have a chain or the straps above your cut to avoid the barber chair???

[@jessecoonce1363]

Did you watch the video without audio? He made it clear that he was intentionally trying to get the trees to barberchair.

[@AndyL940]

Great video thank-you. I didn't realize the seriousness of making a mistake on the undercut. There is so much danger falling trees, and to think inexperienced people are doing this every weekend on their blocks of land or homes it makes me cringe thinking about it.. PEOPLE PLEASE LEAVE IT TO THE PROFESSIONALS !!!!!

[@murphy4trees]

Ya its amazing we all made it this far ;) I started believing in Angels in my early 20's becasue it was the only logical explanation for how I made it through my crazy teenage years unscathed!

[@stevenm3141]

Exciting to say the least! Very good demo. Question: run the saw all the way around the trunk into two inches deep. This will be a good indicator if the rot is on one side or around it. Always have a clear way to run away!

[@murphy4trees]

If I;m checking for rot, I plunge in with the bar upright.. the amount of potential hlding wood removed is close to zero

[@loukinistino9010]

Much appreciated the study of the wrong cuts.

[@ericchandler90]

The pucker factor was cranked up to 11.

[@CeterisMakesMusic]

Even without it being a safe or generally practical technique, this video did a good job at explaining and demonstating barberchair and how and why its dangerous. Something like ultrasound may be useful for checking a trunk prior to cutting to avoid the first situation where there was an unseen hollow in the tree.

[@ugaurbanag]

Nice discussion of barber chair, very nice. But what a dangerous mess!

[@wizardsuth]

This video illustrates the danger of a barber chair -- it's unpredictable. You don't know whether the trunk will split, when it will happen, whether the split will go up or down (or both), the angle at which it will split, whether the trunk will fall or be suspended, and whether, if it does fall, the direction it will fall.

[@shanedavidson2971]

when you know a tree prone to making barber chair. could you use straps or chain around the trunk.

[@30minutesLess]

Shane Davidson yes you absolutely can

[@danamiller9080]

I learned that all leaner's have potential for barber chair. Notch 25% instead of 30-33%, Also shallow side notches... In addition to all this I wrapped and tied a strong rope several times around stock about 1 foot above notch...I also use ropes and comealongs to control the tree if you can not safely drop it in the direction it naturally wants to go... I'm old school from books long before KZbin...I also talked to a few old timers that had been cutting trees for many years before me... do your own research to learn how to cut trees safely.

[@kolober2045]

Regarding the wrapping below the cut on the first tree to prevent unwanted splitting: Could wrapping around the trunk above the felling cut also help reduce the chance of a barber chair?

[@murphy4trees]

most definitely.. that's a good way to play it safe

[@mikeharlow2908]

Extremely interesting! I’ve seen trees do that, but did not know what it was called! I’ve been cutting trees for years just using common sense and my limited experience, but still gleaned a lot of knowledge from your vid! It was very professional how you explained your process! Thanks!

[@spelunkerd]

Best review I've ever found.

[@TheWtfnonamez]

Back watching this video again and its still fascinating. The way the cordage performed was brilliant really. I guess its a lesson in mechanical advantage. I would not think for a second that rope would contain all the force of a falling tree, but I guess every wrap around the trunk multiplies the mechanical strength of the cordage.

[@therealandrewcano]

You're that good that you could not intentionally barberchair that tree. Pretty cool

[@copperjacket00]

yes I have used barber chair many times to save on damage, but only smaller trees

[@murphy4trees]

you are one of the few

[@craigslitzer4857]

I've seen intentional barber chairs done by wildlife & conservation professionals to lay a tree over while keeping it alive sort of like a giant hedge row to create a deer run.

[@jkeips78]

Great video. It would be interesting to see if you could bore vertically to set your "hinge" so to speak on something like that gum which is less prone to splitting than ash. Good to see your doing well still.

[@ottawagardening3298]

Amazing video... How'd you get Ron Pearlman to act though? Figured he'd cost a fortune.

[@5herwood]

All the show-offs and dare devils are fun for a while but you have to come back to sanity now and then. That's why I study DM and listen to everything he says.

[@SemperTrain]

Who is DM and how do I study him?

[@WilliamAlanPhoto]

This helps me understand this better! Thanks.

[@Corrupted]

I have 0 interest in tree cutting but this was a great video and I enjoyed it throughout lol, good job man!

[@SockyNoob]

Same

[@georgew2432]

Yes, and don't let this video get you anymore interested. Very dangerous and a very distasteful vid to put out to an audience of mostly novice/amateur chainsaw users.

[@iwishiwaswrongbutimnot517]

I've been barber chairing since I was about 15. I did it about 3 to 4 ft. off the ground. It was cover for the deer. Unless u r in a stand. I didn't realize that it killed a lot of loggers. I did know it was dangerous. I'm 39 now. I don't do it intentionally anymore.

[@dyscea]

These videos remind me how HEAVY trees are.

[@kennethsizer6217]

Ain't that the truth! I know greenwood is not as heavy as steel or slate, but when you're a bag of meat and water, you are NO COMPETITION. It's important to remember that at all times.

[@hop3881]

can barberchair be prevented by ratchet strapping the hell out of the trunk? (several straps at say 5ft intervals)

[@murphy4trees]

definitely a good prudent practice. YOu really only need one good strap above the cut

[@Johnny82ify]

Doesn’t take much to get a white Ash to slab out.

[@billybm0]

Great information here! Thanks Daniel!

[@wayneallan2550]

Interesting, educational AND brave. Thank you!

[@Swansontrees]

Very informational, thank you!

[@pipersmitty87]

What a great video! Great passing of some good knowledge.

[@ScottWConvid19]

Excellent video with critical information. Thank you

[@Excalibur-hp1kp]

Wow! Talk about skill. I have a tree in my back yard I really want to fall myself. About the same size if not taller.. But I'm a little leary.

[@rigginrat6102]

I wonder how many people kill or hurt their sleds watching this guy............... if you need trees cut get a timber faller.

[@saeefullahmohammad1402]

If you put a strap or chain around the tree, would that stop the barber chair?

[@michaelpcooksey5096]

Comments talk about a notch but I did not see you using any sort of notch, open face, birdsmouth, or Humboldt in connection with the back cut. If use a birdmouth with a planned dutchman, THEN wrap the tree and finally do a thick hinge you might be able to pull the tree over safely... avoiding feller at the tree stump.

[@michaelpcooksey5096]

Maybe Humboldt or open face would be better than birds mouth.

[@treeman9584]

Wow pretty risky there bud just can’t comprehend why you would do that that’s one of our worst fears in our profession

[@murphy4trees]

We do well to avoid dangers that we do not understand. The only way yo understand something is to explore it. To do that safely means doing it in a controlled way. It seems that many have a hard time looking at the potential upside of a controlled barber chair. In this situation there was very little risk. SO LITTLE IT WAS ALMOST ZERO. On the other hand we have here a video that offers a lot of informaton and understanding about the causes of BBC. As long as people learned something, IMO its well worth the "risk" and effot to make this video. Judging by the many responses it did help to that end.

[@treeman9584]

Daniel Murphy kool deal be safe

[@Brian-Outdoors]

Great informative video. Thanks for making it.

[@750rocketman5]

Your inventing another light bulb, good job man

[@kivaswander5537]

This video could save lives

[@eastcoastoakes2232]

Your life comes first before the rd

[@brians7355]

Your respect to the blacktop is admirable.

[@murphy4trees]

haha

[@makincash3337]

So the chair comes from no notching and bad notching?

[@skyvipers]

Can someone please explain why he wraps rope around the trunk of the tree? Is that to determine where he makes the cut? (Max height of the projected stump)

[@murphy4trees]

If the cut is made low on the stump the path of least resistance of any split is going to go up, which will cause a barber chair (the point of the video) because the trunk flare is highly much harder to split than the straight grain above it. When the cut is made a few feet high, there is a good chance that the wood below the cut will split before the wood above it. That will cause the peel or tear cut to go down, rather than up. If the rip goes down there will be no barber chair. If you're trying to prevent a barber chair, one way to do it is to strap the trunk above the cut. In this case, we were trying to cause a barber chair, so we strapped the trunk below the cut.

[@skyvipers]

@@murphy4trees Awesome, thanks so much!

[@aidansharples7751]

first time ive seen someone barber chair the same tree on two seperate occasions.

[@Rick_Sanchez_C137_]

(Sorry for dumb question, just a homesteader cutting wood for firewood and homestead construction) Other than Ash and rotten trees, what trees are prone to barberchair? (Specifically PNW trees if you know) Does the plunge cut and then cut pulled back for the back cut lower chance of barberchair? (EDIT): Interesting use of rope wrapping tree, would you do that both above and below cut on a tree type prone to barberchair to preclude the issue, especially in my case of homesteader in wilderness needing a tree to come down)? Thanks

[@murphy4trees]

Red alder I hear. We don't have them here...

[@NowInAus]

Alder will given a chance, and as a riverbank lover it is often a leaner with a shed load of stress waiting. like willow. Never had birch do it.

[@sireliot2149]

I have seen ratchet straps used on multi-stem (2) oak and cottonwood trees with included bark in case of a split. I did not like the idea because I think the leverage of the tree can overcome strap or rope strength. With using straps or rope wraps to prevent barber chairs, it might prevent the upswing but probably won't prevent a split especially since the split may already be there before the felling. On something really dead/rotten the split could still travel up and occur higher than your wraps. Rotten trees could still collapse. Wrapping or strapping the trunk could be a safety measure but can't replace safe technique. Plunge cuts for the back cut can prevent barber chairs. On rotten stuff it sometimes makes sense to finish from the inside like you are saying but typically a "trigger section" is left and the cut is finished from the back while standing to the side. On straight trees this allows wedging but on leaners just cut trigger and run (please research how to make plunge and final cuts). On truly scary trees I'm a fan of pulling them over with advantage from a safe distance, with or without slight cuts to weaken the base BEFORE pulling the tree over.

[@DSharpVII]

Alder and Madrone are the two to watch for in the PNW. Madrone especially because they rarely grow without a heavy lean. Yes wrapping above and below will reduce the chance even further. In the video he wraps a bunch of rope but you can use a simple clove hitch, tied correctly, as the tree trys to split the knot will hold tighter and tighter. If I'm using a pull rope on a leaner or really cranking on the rope I will use a butt tie. A butt tie is when you shoot a line into a tree and pull the rope up and over a high crotch, tie it off at the butt with a clove hitch and pull on the other end. I hope you can picture that, I wish I could draw you a diagram. You lose a bit of your pulling force but you cut down the risks. A plunge cut then pulled back is a great way to minimize barberchair. Just make sure that the tickness of your hinge is appropriate and lined up with your notch.

[@kylezornes6842]

I'm from the pnw, I'm not an arborist but I know a few, any of our trees can be dangerous, most are prone to having rot in them. One that is often underestimated is viny maple.

[@kinzieconrad105]

Lol didn’t exactly barber chair, though good explanations on what to avoid.

[@jfirebaugh]

How about metal banding a tree above the cut to prevent barberchair-ing?

[@Jjosephda]

very informative video. I appreciate the time spent to go over the little details. definitely helpful.

[@HereWeGoSteelers]

Have you ever tried this method on a Sycamore tree? Do you think it would split & splinter. Thank You

[@murphy4trees]

Sycamore is not a good candidate to barberchair and that is a good thing. its real stringy grain and hard to split.

[@faerieSAALE]

Don't you just Love it when a demonstration plan FAILS!