Felling Wedge Practice (Not a Tutorial)

My first go at using a felling wedge to cut down a tree with a chainsaw. In the video I show the use of a Chainmeister bar clamp to sharpen a chainsaw. This video is not a tutorial.

[@CTSCAPER]

www.amazon.com/shop/ctscaper

[@jackoconnell1852]

If Bob Ross was a lumber jack. Such a relaxing voice.

[@CamperKev]

What I like best about this video, is that you did not edit out the problems. That kind of made the video even more interesting and something extra to learn from. It looks like you have a wonderful life and enjoy the outdoors as much as me. Thank you for posting that video.

[@JDeWittDIY]

Nice video and good job! I did notice that after your last cut, you hit the wedge 4 times. But after the first hit to the wedge the tree started moving. If you listen carefully and look, you'll know when it's going to fall. The reason I say this is that instead of the last 3 hits to the wedge, you could have been walking away from the tree. That said, great job!

[@BiggerAlan]

What you say is true and how you said it is respectful and polite. Oftentimes we criticize with negative effects. We can always try to do better and be positive about it.

[@KrackerJack5586]

Besides proper felling of a tree your comments should be highlighted for all the country to hear in this crazy polarized world respect for others should be foremost in all discussions it's a shame nowadays we have to point that out but that said great video great attitude I learned a lot thank you 👍

[@s1914]

Nice to see somebody humble about his work and not all gung-ho like a lot of the tree felling videos on here 👍

[@pierredesjardins6045]

Oui vous avez raison 💪

[@taylorbriceno5585]

This video went from educational and very encouraging to downright hilarious from the moment the logs rolled down the hill and you finished off with 15 straight seconds of eating a sandwich on the back of your truck. Well done. Subscribed!

[@CTSCAPER]

Thanks Taylor!

[@coppcar]

Humility looks so well on someone who has every right to be proud. Thanks for a great "how I did it" video.

[@dougreid2351]

I laughed uncontrolably at the three rounds racing away down hill, and you just watching them roll off. No one could stage that better than the real world event. That clinched a subscription without any further look at your catalog. Well done and thanks. DOUGout

[@CTSCAPER]

I still laugh thinking about when that happened.

[@9123joshua]

I cannot tell you how many times that has happened to me with the same reaction every time 😂

[@dlarose69]

I see pros leaving the saw in Trees all the time. You aren’t going to pull out your 48-56 inch bar to check your side cut. Great like others have said to see someone humble who does a great job and gives advice.

[@AbortedEvolution]

Great video. About to wedge some trees this weekend and you had the clearest example how to do it. Thanks mate.

[@talktech1]

Thanks for all of your videos. I really enjoy them. I appreciate your humble, non-know-it-all approach. Refreshing.

[@burntchickennuggetp7746]

I agree I noticed how humble he is too and also find it refreshing! You do great work

[@14cooltrees]

Great video John. I've never used a wedge either but i always thought the purpose of the wedge was to prevent the chainsaw from binding. Never thought of actually using the wedge to push the tree over. I'll have to try it. I'd rather have a hammer in my hand than a chainsaw if something went wrong.

[@johngault2041]

***** Generally the henge is 10% of the dia. of the tree at 4 feet off the ground,12 inch dia. tree 1.200 henge aprox. I like to plunge cut to make the henge, then cut back toward the back,drive a wedge and finish cutting from the outside toward the henge again.Once cut,if the tree isn't falling,you can drive the wedge to reach the tipping point. Enjoyed the video,and you did a great job dropping that nice tree!

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

Nice tree felling demonstration, thanks for sharing. I am just now learning myself and never used a wedge before.

[@Bush-man-north]

I really enjoyed the honesty in this video. So many people have inflated egos when it comes to tree falling. Fine when you can back it up but this is an excellent example of person just learning through trial and error. I thought it went well for your first wedging experience. Thanks for the vid!

[@dukeflem]

In a small tree like this one, the wedge is too long to drive straight in with the saw there while you complete the back cut. So you can use a shorter wedge OR set it in sideways Or cut the hinge first with a plunge cut and then cut backwards without going all the way through. Remove the saw and put a wedge in its place and pound it in. Then cut the remaining back cut. Wedges frequently take a beating.

[@CTSCAPER]

Great tips thank you for sharing. I never thought of putting the wedge in sideways.

[@dukeflem]

@@CTSCAPER Use one from each side if balance is needed

[@dukeflem]

@@hino823 not usually but there are occasions where more is cut out.

[@imduncanmajunkin]

You didn't do it perfect, but you did it safe. That's what matters, and you got it done, good job

[@blackdaan]

so true.. how about this one: safe makes perfect. the rest is details

[@chriscoates8691]

Safe? He should have been bouncing when the tree started going. If that hinge would have broke prematurely and bucked off, it could have landed on him. I mean luckily that didn’t happen, but once that sucker starts going, it’s time to leave the area.

[@calebwillhelm2635]

@@chriscoates8691 the wedge

[@jimsteele7108]

@@chriscoates8691 , I know. People could have died and it would have been your fault. Scary...

[@scottschuett1405]

@@chriscoates8691 I agree, I saw the tree going....and I thought Go go go go go go! No more pounding needed. It's to the point of no return.

[@minerfanatic]

Thanks. It worked. Fell a tree away from my house, in between another tree and a bush. PERFECTLY!

[@CTSCAPER]

Nice job! That would make me nervous.

[@dysfunctional_vet]

i have been cutting trees for many years, made my living exclusively doing this for maybe 10 years, i'm not sure. you did everything right, but i would caution everyone to always have an escape route, (i.e., saw not too close so you don't trip on it) and watch the tree above you. you can tell a lot about what is about to happen at your cut by watching. while you normally get that cracking of timber that makes you know your alive, if it does not happen, keeping a weather eye above will warn you that it is happening. well done on your presentation

[@lincolnnunez]

dysfunctional vet his notch angle On bottom was wrong

[@thechronicgeneralist]

@@lincolnnunez a little off maybe but why would you say wrong? Plus with all that momentum it won't change anything even if the angle is a bit too shallow, so long as the hinge is high enough to prevent kickback.

[@lincolnnunez]

Ben L-P the notch used in the the video is a conventional, an open face should have been used to give the tree control all the way to the ground. Yes this tree has no limbs etc but now the tree pops and is uncontrollable at some point which makes the hinge wood not relevant at some point. Possible it was shallow but I felt the depth was good. But hey, I’m just a critic giving my opinion 😁😆

[@davidblack2970]

Especially if you're cutting a dead tree it is a good idea to have a helper with an air horn in case a big dead branch decides to break off and land on your head. not a bad idea even if you're cutting a live tree. And a dead branch is most likely to break off when its sound is masked by the falling of the trunk especially if it is hung up in other branches.

[@drewbydoo4828]

I like your presentation and frankness. By explaining your lessons learned i feel much more comfy going into felling using a wedge now, thanks.

[@jamesfernandez6950]

funny dude. Classic ending eating the sandwich on the back of the truck on a sunny day

[@jimsteele7108]

I know, that was really funny. I laughed for a long time but doing better now.

[@diversifiedacreshomestead102]

Brother you got a lot of good advice on how to correct your deficiency’s. Great video. We’ve all gone through those steps and not go the way we intended.

[@lightupyourlife111]

He’s using the wrong saw for a start hows that good advice to anyone a top handle is a arborist saw to be used at height

[@crystaljoleen8183]

Straight to the point. Easy to learn lesson. Thank you

[@YourFavoriteITguy]

Just purchased a saw and enjoyed watching this video. Thanks for sharing!

[@TaylorHarkness]

Great video. Relaxing voice. Thanks for showing your work!

[@william474]

Great job. I've hit wedges with my saw before, no biggie. Great job again.

[@ihd-3603]

Why not use a hammer?

[@Arctic_Dude]

For a beginner like me this is actually quite instructive.

[@larryspiller6633]

I like a success story. Good job here. I have rolled a few very big logs downhill before to knock down some smaller trees on purpose.

[@charlesfredrick4789]

If I may add one bit of advice, when you first set the the wedge, do not set it too hard. Just enough to keep the tree from setting back on the bar. People underestimate the power of the wedge. It puts great pressure, on the back cut, which can cause the tree to barber pole, when you try to finish the back cut. Cut a little deeper towards the hinge then set your wedge. This is hard to do on small diameter trees. Because there's not enough room for the wedge and the saw

[@hyzercreek]

Barber chair not pole. On small trees you can plunge cut for the wedge.

[@southtree7736]

On a tree that diameter you should have used a quarter cut technique and a couple of wedges. Essentially, the quarter cut allows you to get a wedge in one side of your back-cut when there is no - or little - room behind your bar due to the diameter of the tree. It is also a very useful technique on larger trees with a slight side lean as you can counter act the lean with your first wedge - or a couple - before cutting away the final quarter and wedging her over. That said, you got her down okay and had the right idea, well done!

[@concernedcitizen8868]

excellent video & tutorial with great understated humor 😂... thanks

[@anymanusa]

thanks for that great video. reminds me of the good ol' days where I did a bunch of that.

[@christophermoore5405]

Great to see another one of your very informative video's. Keep up the good work.

[@chrisjesmore2123]

Great video - educational and amusing.

[@terryhale9006]

John: In the same situation, cut out the MIDDLE of the hinge by plunging in about three inches, from the notch side, below the level of your wedge. Fall "steering" is provided by the ENDS of the hinge, so you don't need the middle part for directional control. When you drive the wedge, you are trying to lift the tree AND bend/break the hinge. It's a lot easier to do if the middle part of the length of the hinge has already been cut.

[@terryhale9006]

I was afraid I hadn't explained it that well. Basically, make the same cuts you did, but add a shallow plunge cut, coming from the right, flush with the bottom of your notch. The objective is to cripple the middle of the hinge, so it is easier for you to bend what remains of the hinge. Assuming your tree want s to lean sideways, one end of the hinge will be in compression, while the other end will be in tension. The middle part of the hinges is essentially unstressed and is not needed to resist lean.

[@zandemen]

That is something typically done in large trees where it is hard to reach the middle with a little saw. No need to do that here, there was just too wide of a hinge, cut it a little more. Straight across.

[@jimsteele7108]

Oh boy... never ever do that!

[@Rileydogmaddy]

Thank you for showing your technique. Very helpful and nicely done.

[@CTSCAPER]

Thanks Bryan.

[@HeartlandMakesAndOutdoors]

good job on the video my friend, I love it. Have a blessed week.

[@AcostaAnimationMagic]

Man, this is a comfy video

[@tec61]

GOOD video, helpful for weekend fellers👍cutting trees the WRONG way is VERY DANGEROUS! GOOD JOB👏👍

[@lightupyourlife111]

You do know a top handle saw isn’t for felling ?

[@redredwine1277]

I enjoyed watching, very entertaining, thanks for sharing❤️

[@TBMswe]

Hello! I see that we do it a bit different here in Sweden. Our "pie-cut" is much more shallow and the backcut is at the same height as the base of the pie. We also use a method called "the safe corner" when using wedges and other tools to get the tree down. The safe corner makes sure that the tree doesn't pinch your saw and also it makes sure that the tree doesn't fall over until you're ready.

[@michaelpcooksey5096]

Nice presentation with clear shots. I have seen one specialist put the wedges in on a slant... using thin ones and building them up on top of each other till the tree falls.

[@manbearpig8691]

I thought that this was a great video. Most of us here aren't arborists. It's good to see the plus and minus of a fellow homeowner dropping a tree. Great camera work and narration. I hit the "thumb up".

[@magicmike2436]

Nice video, it shows well how powerful the 020 is. I would add that these small chainsaws are for arborists and were destined to branch cutting only, not for cutting up big trees on the ground (OK, I do it too sometimes). These saws are so dangerous that they are prohibited for sale to non professionals in Europe (Germany and Great Britain at least). Non professionals watching this practice video should do this job only with a regular chainsaw!

[@kong4679]

Why is this more dangerous than a regular chainsaw

[@colinmos]

Well done , I enjoyed it

[@JustinCglass]

From what I learned so far, your hinge should be about 10% the diameter of the tree you're felling I still am conservative when doing my back cut though More practice always helps Using the wedges to do the final push to fell the tree is one of the safest bets you can do The hinge is steering the tree as it comes down. the tree will follow the path of least resistance so if your hinge is a lil thinner on one side, the tree will turn a lil towards the thinner side of the hinge

[@terrencedillon4345]

The basics are there no doubt. Felling trees can be unpredictable. Most times if you know what you are doing things can go smoothly. You can never be 100% sure. It’s a job I would have loved, if the cards were in it for me. Great video

[@stephenneeson5194]

Nice work mate,like the video,try palming your wedges in,until your hinge is set up rather than knocking them in as far as possible.the wedge is just to prevent the tree sitting back on your saw pinching it.once the hinge is set up then knock the wedge in to fell the tree.i see some other comments about plunge cuts,dont try this with a top handled saw,do the basics well before you move on to more technical cuts.i too have a stihl 020 av which is a powerful little saw and has been faithfull since i bought it some years back.

[@jimsteele7108]

You are incorrect.

[@redredwine1277]

Thanks! 🌸🌺🌼 after watching, I cut my tree and it fell down right.

[@XchakGearz]

the rolling log that escaped = 😆

[@briangusman5553]

Nice job, the face cut was easy and perfectly done, you have fell alot and well, pleasure watching.

[@vagabondslot-machine8832]

Good to show the mistakes as well as the perfect cuts. Thank you

[@samwimpy2600]

good video...great shot showing how the hinge functions!

[@Normanb15]

Good job...no worries about the wedge

[@EmilyTienne]

Nicely done. I’m buying a wedge this weekend.

[@renostubbs8504]

I enjoyed this video,brilliantly done,sir.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Awesome video! Thanks for sharing!

[@lornekletke6461]

wonderful honest straightforward video!

[@jasonprodger9836]

Nicely done, I enjoyed you're video!

[@jessecook2839]

I work for a company called Davey Tree out of Ottawa, ON Canada & i'm a UA arborist Apprentice.....If you don't know what UA is it's utility arborist.... meaning you can trim trees around the power lines.....I have been with them for about a year and three months I would say....I have just started cutting down pegs that are just below the power lines so roughly about 10 ft tall.....I would say for your first-time felling a tree you did a really great job.....Your hinge was really good straight even all the way across.....

[@gthhka4524]

I work for Davey in Washington state ibew local 77 line clearance tree trimmer apprentice awesome job to have

[@jimsteele7108]

I'm not a real aborast but I play one on TV.

[@AndyL940]

You did everything fine .. you played it safe .. you used the wedge how it’s supposed to be used .. good safe job ..

[@theinternets7516]

You needed your back cut to be a little higher. Also after each time you strike the wedge you need to look up and see what the tree is doing so that you aren't still pounding the wedge while the tree is falling. That can put you in a really dangerous situation; especially if it barber chairs. Good video.

[@USNERDOC]

New subscriber. Nice video! Thanks for sharing.

[@amosmoses8718]

You did great for your first tree.

[@CTSCAPER]

Thanks for the kind words.

[@antcorke4485]

very informative, thanks.

[@ricdenali4213]

Nice video! The voice over was great and I didn’t hear the saw as bad. The steady shot of the trunk during the cut was some of the best I’ve seen

[@leroyjenkins9519]

Well done, sir.

[@NMranchhand]

Hey, thanks for sharing.

[@mvblitzyo]

you did great .. I've been doing tree work for over 20 years ..

[@mvblitzyo]

welcome

[@craighellberg6269]

Good video and good camera work. Very helpful.

[@businessthrowaway1354]

Another thing to consider- when you first tried to turn the log you were standing on the downhill side. You got lucky when it started to break into sections. You saw what could have happened with that one section that rolled away. Had the whole log started to roll the first time, too much weght to stop it. Always work from the uphill side, even when limbing and bucking as weight and center of gravity can change.

[@JessTheInvestor]

Thanks for the video. I’ll use this technique. Short and sweet

[@phermansr]

Informative, good job, thank you

[@wisheye1]

really cool old saw, nice job!

[@cubenitup]

Mighty fine truck sir. Nice video.

[@jriver64]

Great video! Thank you for uploading this video. I did learned a lot from you.

[@jriver64]

Make more videos! Thanks, pal.

[@thejackel1844]

***** You did fine,...everyone will cut into their wedge(s) time and again. Everyone...

[@adventurerhoades]

Nice job. Thanks for the video

[@yrdGBA]

If there is one thing I have learned when cutting trees is take your time, people get into trouble getting in a hurry. You did fine!

[@MikeSheasheaDtree]

on my property I have maple, apple, cherry, and ash trees. The apple are 40 foot or so trees left over from an orcherd about 50 years ago. I find most of these trees are danergouse in the sense that is is difficult to calculate where they are going to fall. The branches go in every which direction. So to keep things safe and predictable, I put a chain around an "anchor" tree, and tow strap (just using what I have) around the tree to fall and then put a "come-a-long" between. After I notch the tree, I ratchet the come-a-long very tight. Then I go do my back cut. And they fall within a foot or two of where I want. lately I have been falling near a padock fence, If I was out in the bush it would not matter as much which way they fell....I enjoyed the video.

[@grantoyamaha]

Great vid.

[@macnudd]

If I may, I would offer this suggestion. When you cut your wedge, cut it at 90 degrees with a 50 degree up and a 40 degree down. That way you have a hinge all the way to when the tree is level with the ground. As a general rule, the hinge is 20% of the tree. The wedge is designed to do just what you used it for. Good video.

[@thomasshirley3033]

Excellent job ill be doing the same way now thanks man

[@RhinoRider2006]

Nice old saw, like your sharpening technique. too many guys go crazy with the file.Obviously everything is old. Like your Transister Radio. Don't see many of those around anymore.Thanks for sharing

[@utep212]

Oh man, that log rolling down the hill! I can't say how many times I've been there lol. Get yourself a hookaroon and your back will be thanking you.

[@calebwillhelm2635]

As someone that runs a saw for money. Trees that size have to be leaning real hard for them to go a different way then the knotch. I would have just kept running the saw and not wedged at all. I assume because i saw the tree on the ground and didn't think it was a leaner but never know. Some big ol hardwood like 60 plus foot pecan same situation. I would have pounded another wedge in. Wedges on wedges etc. I always have 3 wedges. The hinge helps the tree go exacy where you want it. Better to pound wedges then cut to skinny of a wedge

[@calebwillhelm2635]

Just thought that was a helpful hint. Awesome instructional video. Couldn't ask for a better example. Thanks

[@coreyjones9483]

Im sure he deserves a comment. Too funny and informative.

[@karlbe8414]

Looked like a nice fell. I am still trying to understand when to use a wedge. As you said you could have cut a bit more before wedging it. I have this idea that wedges would help prevent the tree from rocking backwards and of course would keep your saw from getting pinched. I see all the pros leaving the saw in the tree while cutting to inspect and hammer wedges...

[@unclechaos27]

Good job!

[@royalherbs]

keep up with the videos, be good to see how you develop. In the UK that saw is a climbing saw and a ground saw would of been used for felling. But we use the tools we have available.

[@joeandmollysantamour]

Really enjoyed the video. You made some mistakes (like we all do), but not mistakes that were unsafe in your situation. Of course the best was that stupid log rolling down the hill. That was classic and gave me a good laugh, because I know the feeling of watching one roll away like that. (And of course the idea of marring a tool you just purchased that morning. Nooooo!)

[@youngwoodsman4110]

Good video

[@jessecantrell7317]

great saw and nice cut

[@NHHalKnowsHow]

Great video. I'm going to order one of those sharpening vises. And that looks like an ash tree to me. Thanks!

[@CTSCAPER]

Glad you enjoyed it. The vice is nice if you have the tailgate for it.

[@shrimptunes3463]

I also thought it was an ash. Been felling quite a few since the EAB blew into town!

[@Velvethamma]

I have a little newer version of the Stihl 020 and it is a very powerful arborists saw. Heck, I use it quite frequently because it is so handy.

[@Velvethamma]

***** I'm a Stihl user thru and thru but I own an early 90's Husky 55 and it is a strong saw with a full chisel chain and a 20" bar. New saws are so much more powerful than the ones of 20 years ago

[@TO-vw3sy]

Stump and holding wood looked great

[@journeyortize202]

Great job .

[@renaissancemarinetv3536]

great video. i cut trees for a very wise man when i was in college. we used stihls and lots of wedges. with a little forethought you can usually put that tree right where you want it.

[@renaissancemarinetv3536]

+Land Designs Unlimited LLC it was! that old coot worked me near to death!

[@renaissancemarinetv3536]

we had bills to pay

[@Mabepc89]

Great Video!

[@jasonlenihan9854]

Good video, thanks for making it👍

[@ChrisCross2014]

Good vid...nothing like taking your time and getting it right.

[@davidhoover8877]

The quality of your video looks like it was filmed with a really nice camera..Heck with the tree just a all around good video.

[@davidhoover8877]

I think you did an excellent job. Its very rare that you see a video without negative comments.

[@davidhoover8877]

I practice the Win - Win Approach because nobody wins with the win-lose or lose - win. bickering between one another. lol

[@JGunit]

Some good unintentional comedy here lol