Cutting the root ball

[@doinstuffwithzane]

It warms my heart to see how many people are concerned for my personal well being. Thanks so much.

[@ironwolfgaming9632]

You did a great job - the only thing I would have done is cut a wedge on the compression side so it could have a hinge and might open more slowly. You did fine as a normal dude cutting down windfall.

[@BarryEvans66]

When cutting tree's like that, I usually start on top. Cut 1/3 of the way through, then bang a wedge in the cut. You can then cut straight through, and the wedge will stop the tree pinching your saw.

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@BarryEvans66 I appreciate the insight. I will definitely try that out. I'm sure the next big storm will blow another one down.

[@rnvrnv354]

Very Nice! I really like the way that you carefully took your time and allowed your chainsaw to do its job!

[@scotpettengill7801]

Your attack on the cut was absolutely perfect. The only thing wrong was your saw. the chain was way to tight even before you started your cut. A properly tightened chain should have only a little snap to it when you pull down on it. Also you should be able to move the chain forward and backward by hand, but with the saw not running. The key to that situation is being able to rev your saw and keep up the chain speed until the trunk breaks free. You did a great job, just get a little more aggressive on your cut. I've been cutting trees for over forty years professionally , so again good job. Stay safe.

[@doinstuffwithzane]

Thank you! I have since learned more about chainsaws and actually loosened the chain the next time I went to use the saw.

[@gordonginter1836]

Once you've cut into the top of the tree, try pounding a wedge into the cut. It will keep the cut open. I've been using saws since 1973.

[@mattfleming86]

Doesn't matter how much wood you cut.. uprooted trees are sketchy AF. Thanks for taking me along for the ride. I've got a big beech that uprooted downhill and i'm brainstorming ways to deal with it. Probably going to chain the root ball back for extra security. Its right on that line of "will it go back into its hole or want to roll downhill" I'll work it tip-down and see if Incan get a read on it.

[@doinstuffwithzane]

For sure sketchy. I just try to not die as best as I can. Some are easier than others, but I always see the potential of what could go wrong. I'm always ready to ditch my saw and haul ass. I'm lucky to have a pretty flat yard. I wish you success in your cuts.

[@danlichtenberger6462]

Love the calls from work comin’ in. That made me laugh. You got a nice log there now. Good job on the cut!

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@danlichtenberger6462 They never really stop. That log has made some nice slabs.

[@jamesbarron6454]

You did a fine job. I'm sure you learned a bit more since this video. A little fear is a healthy thing to have. You should never have too much as long as there is experience.

[@doinstuffwithzane]

Thanks! I have learned more about what is likely to happen and what I won't do again.

[@Sailor376also]

Ya did good. Good plan,, proper amount of fear, respect for the weight of the trunk and root ball. Next time,, the initial up cut. Plant or mark your feet where they are,, that gives you the best alignment of matching up with down cuts. and mostly,, on the down cut give a very slight diagonal down toward the root ball. Always err the intersectionon the side of the bole. Just a couple of degrees is fine,, because the bole is going to fall and the root ball stump is going up,, OFTEN violently. Your blade won't pinch if you use a slight diagonal.

[@doinstuffwithzane]

Thanks! I appreciate the tips. Most people don't want to help, but love telling you what you did wrong.

[@Sailor376also]

@@doinstuffwithzane No, you did very well. For general use I would recommend a much shorter bar. You can cut from both sides, takes a bit more skill, but heck of a lot easier to handle. I own two bars usually an 18 or 20 and my long one is a 24 I can cut down basically anything less than 4.5 foot diameter with a 24. Firewood production a 20 will do almost anything and it requires half the strength of the 24. My big saw, a Johnsered,, with a 24 with have me huffing and puffing like an old race horse against its nominal 8 horsepower. An 18 I can swing all day. In general,, the best guy to learn from,, sharpening to felling Look for Buckin' Billy Ray. Guy is gooood. One small safety improvement, In general do not ever stand or lean your head over into the theoretical plane of the bar. Rare, but when they buck, no one can reflex quick enough,, and chains sometimes go to shit and can flail out in a huge swing. I don't remember,, you were wearing chaps?

[@healthcarethoughtleadership]

@@Sailor376also Echo the Buckin' Billy Ray reference. Great job @doinsuffwithzane. I am new to this as well and am learning compression side vs. Tension side cutting. On large root balls like this one where the tree is parallel to the ground the use of wedges to assist that top cut expansion. Also the marking off the tree for alignment by @sailor376also is right on point. Good job man. Thanks for posting this video.

[@G.I.JeffsWorkbench]

Good show. Great planning. Your patience paid off.

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@G.I.JeffsWorkbench I definitely was cautious. Mostly due to this being my first root ball I dealt with.

[@09rja]

Couple of points from someone who has (unfortunately) done this a few times. For the first cuts, you'd notch it on the top (maybe a third of the way through) and start to finish it on the bottom.......but at some point (as you discovered) the script will get switched (i.e. the top side will open up and the bottom will become the pinch side). It's hard to know when that will happen....so I use some wedges to help the saw from getting pinched. Always have a standby saw/bar for this kind of work.....'cause it's hard to be right. Something else: that looked like a well maintained area. If (later on) you are planning on removing the stump....when it is uprooted like that is a ideal time to set it up for that. For starters, you can strip off the dirt from the backside.....then maybe trim back the roots where you are certain the saw won't hit dirt. It's all about getting that hole filled with available dirt.....and cutting down on the weight of the stump that has to be hauled. Also, if removal is the plan, cut any roots you can so that there is less resistance to being pulled out. But overall: nice job.

[@doinstuffwithzane]

I appreciate the tips. I intend to basically leave the stump as it sits. It is at the extreme back of my yard and doesn't bother me to look at.

[@tooge47]

once you finish your bottom cut, then lightly cup up on both sides to mark where to make the top cut

[@doinstuffwithzane]

That makes sense. Hopefully I won't have any more reasons to make these cuts. Eventually I'll run out of trees in my yard.

[@leonardfielder9948]

I like to use felling wedges on top cut keeps bar from binding.

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@leonardfielder9948 I didn't consider that at the time, but I use those wedges for everything now

[@patrickflanagan8008]

W Nice one matey. You were right to be cautious, that lump of wood wouldn't take any prisoners.

[@kevinmccliment7591]

i like to trim the back side roots that are free of dirt not to dull the chain so when you get that flop nothing holds it back from dropping into the hole.

[@doinstuffwithzane]

That is a great idea! If any more fall in my yard I will have to give that a try.

[@miroberries]

...i apologise Zane,i was having some fun at your expense.It's just that...first you walked into the saw...so i commented...i watched a bit further...i commented,ie i didn't watch the entire clip before commenting,etc etc.I DO commend you on having good safety gear! Chainsaws can be SO dangerous if not handled correctly...my family are bush people here in nz...i grew up doing bush stuff which DOESN'T mean i don't make mistakes...be careful Zane...best wishes from nz.

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@miroberries No worries. I can take criticism, so no harm done. I have absorbed some tricks and tips since this video was shot. I feel I can run a saw better and more safely.

[@miroberries]

@@doinstuffwithzane good for you Zane...look after yourself.

[@leplessis8179]

The 'Power Stance' - brace yourself, darlin', here I come ..........................

[@Bobcat1950]

I have known a few who have been killed by cutting a fallen tree close to the root. I would have made the first cut about where the scotch block was.

[@davydacounsellor]

Yeah sounds about right, then you could ring out the log till the ball drops back in.

[@rntruthseeker61]

what do you do if the tree ball does not fall back in?

[@doinstuffwithzane]

I can't answer for other people, but I would just leave it. I only cut it off so that I would be able to process the trunk.

[@samgraham9754]

A step cut helps in times like that 👌🏼😎

[@doinstuffwithzane]

To be honest I didn't know about a step cut. Now that I do know, I can definitely see the benefit.

[@samgraham9754]

@@doinstuffwithzane indeed, I've been struggling with wind blown trees lately, it looks like the best way to do it, i had been doing a V cut underneath then coming down from the top to meet in the middle. That seems to work alright also. Sam

[@paulipuhakka8788]

Nice piece of lumber 👍

[@doinstuffwithzane]

Eventually it will be. I'm being rather lazy about processing the tree.

[@shaun8256]

Always start at the top of the tree working your way back to prevent getting slayed by the tree.

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@shaun8256 That sounds like a good way to get rid of it. I have been slabbing this tree since I made this cut. I am still slowly working on it.

[@TheMonkdad]

You accomplished what you intended and didn’t get injured or killed👍

[@doinstuffwithzane]

Thanks! That was the general goal. I guess that isn't good enough for some people.

[@oldskoold22]

LOL @Doin' Stuff (your comment below)... I hate to add on here but; was someone being sure a dog or a human wasn't in the hole? I remember a 4 year old was crushed in Charlotte, NC after Hurricane Hugo. Not a thing they could do.

[@doinstuffwithzane]

I was alone and had been walking around the tree for a good while before I got started. I didn't specifically look for anything, but would have noticed in the amount of time I was down there.

[@oldskoold22]

@@doinstuffwithzane I figured you had taken precautions, I commented that mainly for anybody who might not think about such. Thanks for the video.

[@stihlnz]

You're very wise to be cautious, a man at the head of my lake died in front of his young children getting flung by a root ball. 6 years ago I was chopping through a huge 10 ft through the base eucalypt that had blown over ..its root ball was 25' x 20' ... I had a 42" bar on my 880 ...got a far as I was comfortable and told the farmer that was that. No sense getting yourself killed for fire wood.

[@Thirsty4stalin]

How? was he on top of it?

[@stihlnz]

@@Thirsty4stalin yes i believe so ...

[@miroberries]

number four...don't STARE at it...and LAST but not least...change the title to...Doin' Dopey Stuff with Zane!! Bon appetite!

[@philtucker1224]

The only problem I have found with cutting near the root is the number of stones the tree has embraced during its growth. Fatal to a good saw blade!

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@philtucker1224 That's a really good point. I have been fortunate enough to not find any yet. There's always next time though.

[@hubertjudeaux7749]

nice pretty job

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@hubertjudeaux7749 Thanks

[@The_Nowhereman]

Some beautiful grain in there.

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@The_Nowhereman There is indeed. It has made some nice slabs.

[@janmarbenius8593]

Good job! 👏

[@doinstuffwithzane]

thanks!

[@JuanMendez-qd5hi]

Nice cut. Is that a Husqvarna saw? What size bar is that?

[@doinstuffwithzane]

Thanks, it is a Husqvarna 572xp with a 36" Husqvarna bar and Oregon chain

[@billbyrnes9505]

Really?

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@billbyrnes9505 Yes.

[@gary24752]

Why so high on the stump?

[@doinstuffwithzane]

I had not done it before and I was a bit nervous. My wife wants cookies cut so it worked out in the end.

[@miroberries]

number three...use the chainsaw pivot....you're NOT slicing bread..

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@miroberries I feel like your comments could have been a single comment. You seem to be giving solid advice, but it's possible said advice could get lost in the large amount of comments already provided. I appreciate the wisdom.

[@oldmanfred8676]

I Live in Michigan, when I have a rootball to cut I wait for it to freeze in the ground. I start at the limbs and finish with the log. 🪵. No danger of it tipping back up while you are cutting. In the Spring it tips back up while no one is watching.

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@oldmanfred8676 That sounds like a pretty convenient way to take care of it. I don't know that Georgia would ever get cold enough for that to work.

[@InWithBothFeet]

He means in the spring it tips back up unexpectedly. Sounds a lot more dangerous when you say it that way.

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@InWithBothFeet I think he means when nobody is around. That would be a terrible surprise to get.

[@oldmanfred8676]

@ True, but I’ve never seen one tip back in and have never had a problem.

[@ismanhamzah4504]

Waw good job i Like 💪💪🙏👍👌

[@doinstuffwithzane]

Thanks ✌

[@ismanhamzah4504]

@@doinstuffwithzane 👌👍

[@stephenpulice87]

Always wear chaps no matter how much experience you have

[@doinstuffwithzane]

I will keep that in mind

[@rodneyking9100]

Sharpening chain might have helped too

[@doinstuffwithzane]

It had not been through too many cuts at that point, maybe 4, but a fresh sharpen surely couldn't have hurt.

[@corbman9049]

Looks like Red Oak. Would make purty slabs of lumber.

[@doinstuffwithzane]

Yes, the Water Oak is in the Red Oak category. I am just trying to finish my solar kiln before I slab it.

[@dujeamizic3588]

Is that for firewood

[@doinstuffwithzane]

Some of it will be. The larger part of the trunk will be slabs.

[@canamrider7195]

Good job. I have to make cuts like that and the forces are tremendous and hard to read.

[@doinstuffwithzane]

Thanks! These things will always leave you guessing

[@annaaron3510]

Nice Kevlar jeans Zane.

[@doinstuffwithzane]

I'm sure your Internet sarcasm has helped bundles of folks. Keep up the good work!

[@annaaron3510]

NOT sarcasm Mr. Zane. You're showing expertise without protection. Not bright.No sarcasm.@@doinstuffwithzane

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@annaaron3510 Then I apologize, although I'm not certain you know what sarcasm is. While I'm sure you wear all required PPE during every activity you undertake, some of us understand and fully accept the risk we are taking. I can understand that you want people to be safe, but in my opinion you are not going about it properly.

[@annaaron3510]

Why of course when doing sex Zane. You do sex ?@@doinstuffwithzane

[@kangkasbun1624]

Good job💪🏻

[@doinstuffwithzane]

Thanks!

[@loicroger1510]

Vous parlez de sécurité où sont vos pantalon, chaussures et gants ? surtout avec un guide de cette taille .

[@doinstuffwithzane]

Je ne me souviens pas avoir parlé de sécurité. J'apprends au fur et à mesure.

[@loicroger1510]

@@doinstuffwithzane quand tu as baissé ta visière du casque et mis tes lunettes il apparue safety

[@doinstuffwithzane]

On m'a donné des conseils et je vais y réfléchir. Merci de votre contribution.

[@shrapnut7612]

Nice job, but your chain is too tight.

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@shrapnut7612 I don't doubt it since it has been said a few times. I tried to follow suggestions online, but that rarely works out well.

[@CDSangTao]

Cây to quá bạn cắt rất tốt

[@doinstuffwithzane]

Cảm ơn bạn. Đó là cái cây lớn nhất trong sân của tôi.

[@CDSangTao]

Nếu trước sân thật đáng tiếc cây cổ thụ, chúc bạn một ngày tốt lành.

[@thebubbacontinuum2645]

Guy told me to prop root balls up from below so they don't flop. I thought that was smart.

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@thebubbacontinuum2645 My intention was for the ball to fall back into the hole. It didn't really work well. I probably needed to trim the roots a bit more.

[@miroberries]

number two...first cut from the top...

[@_smsb_]

very well successed!

[@doinstuffwithzane]

Thanks! I didn't cut myself off either.

[@philliprose415]

Never cut a root ball loose on a hill side,I did it once and survived but never again!

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@philliprose415 I'll keep that in mind. Fortunately my yard is very flat.

[@subrotosenso4973]

Beautifull vidionya👍

[@charlesmeuse5734]

Been there ,done that......good

[@hikmatalsaffar4011]

Great job Thanks

[@doinstuffwithzane]

Thank you!

[@craigunderwood4353]

I don't know if you know your backed up on some poison oak, ivy?

[@doinstuffwithzane]

Honestly, I'm not surprised. It is all over my yard and I don't pay enough attention to it. I often feel it's wrath after working in the yard.

[@craigunderwood4353]

I have to watch for it because I'm highly alergeict, you know what I mean, I don't spell to well@@doinstuffwithzane

[@tooge47]

do that, but with the top of that tree up in the air, resting on ANOTHER big tree

[@doinstuffwithzane]

I would kindly decline.😅 I have a pretty good idea of my limits and that would be way out of them.

[@jimmyhuffman6802]

They must be paying you by the hour

[@doinstuffwithzane]

I wish someone would pay me to do stuff around my house

[@zsozso411]

Nice exercise

[@doinstuffwithzane]

Thanks

[@miroberries]

number one...DON'T walk into saw blade..

[@stone4173]

Why people don't start from the top of the tree clearing brush and the branches then work on the trunk smalll sections by sections is beyond me.

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@stone4173 Honestly I don't know either. This just felt like a good place to start.

[@lynnniendorf5117]

I do believe that the way you did it is the safest way. The under cut really wasn’t necessary. I may have cut it closer to the base. If you start at the top and work toward the base ,you take to much weight off the stalk and you end up with the stalk being set back straight by the root ball. Them you basically have to cut down a tree. If that makes sense.

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@lynnniendorf5117 Thanks! At the time the undercut made sense. The trunk started getting wider further down than where I cut and I didn't feel comfortable going any lower.

[@tonyhedgewolf]

Because if you do that, you have no idea when the tree will flip up like a trebuchet.

[@stone4173]

@tonyhedgewolf funny, I've worked with tree surgeons and they know exactly how and when a tree will flip up.

[@masterkayu]

Nice wonderfulll...

[@doinstuffwithzane]

Thank you

[@daleolson3506]

Wow trying to cut with the dullest chain ever

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@daleolson3506 Although your wild speculation is entertaining, it is also incorrect. The chain isn't dull, but also not meant for fast cuts.

[@daleolson3506]

@ when powder is coming off it’s not speculating

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@daleolson3506 It was a brand new ripping chain. So again, you are wrong.

[@smokedawg9371]

Saw sounds under powered for that bar.

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@smokedawg9371 it's a 572xp so it is a bit long.

[@yournightmare733]

istnieje cos takiego jak kliny.

[@heavenzsoldier3799]

Your Chain is too tight. You should never have put your saw down beside the Stem. If it would have Kicked, good bye my friend!

[@alifbarokah272]

Semangaaat..,

[@robertpearson8546]

"Success" You managed to waste 2 feet of log.

[@doinstuffwithzane]

It's not really waste when you cut the stump anyway

[@annaaron3510]

Give us a F'in break..."power stance" ? Chainsawing ain't a macho trip. You want to be AN EXPERT, USE THE SKILLS AND NEEDED TOOLS LIKE PPE. How much does an ER visit cost ? Necklace ?

[@doinstuffwithzane]

If your first attempt doesn't get the desired effect then be more upset and aggressive. You're killing more than my lack of safety equipment.

[@bigweb0311]

Ima guess ummmmm car salesman? 🤷‍♂️

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@bigweb0311 At the time I was running an auto repair shop

[@centaurogrizzly24]

Quel cinéma !

[@doinstuffwithzane]

I'm sorry, I have no idea what that means.

[@PragmaticSolutions-l4m]

You have no business running a saw until you learn your 'tension' and 'compression' of things that crush you! Nice new saw. Now don't let that gas get old from no use. Maybe this vid was meant to be a joke?

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@PragmaticSolutions-l4m You seem to make a lot of assumptions. At the time that saw was relatively new, so thanks. Maybe your comment was meant to be a joke?

[@tooge47]

Now, do that AGAIN, but with the top of the tree way up in the air resting on ANOTHER big tree

[@york806]

Get back on the couch..

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@york806 What does that even mean?

[@BretBrin]

Chismas

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@BretBrin Merry?

[@rikatarinfuachoi994]

Low skil

[@doinstuffwithzane]

And????

[@ElectricGamez37]

DANGG@@doinstuffwithzane

[@HansJürgenDiefenbach]

Alles gut,aber wo ist deine Schnittschutzhose????Weißt du das du im Bruchteil einer Sekunde kein Bein mehr hast,oder eine riesige Fleischwunde,Sägeketten schneiden nicht,die reißen mit ihren kleinen Meißeln,Stücke aus dem Holz,bzw.bei dir Fkeischstücke raus!!!

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@HansJürgenDiefenbach Ich mache mir keine Sorgen um die Sicherheit und spreche kein Deutsch

[@HansJürgenDiefenbach]

Wer fährt die Baumwurzel weg???

[@doinstuffwithzane]

@@HansJürgenDiefenbach Das habe ich vermutet