Incident Investigation: Tree Barberchairs, Then Strikes Worker | WorkSafeBC

This video recreates an incident where a tree split vertically up the trunk (barberchaired) and then came down and struck a silviculture worker.
This incident investigation slide show is a helpful training tool for health and safety meetings. It highlights the importance of having an accurate work plan when falling trees.
The video shows the underlying factors that led to this unfortunate incident. They include inadequate hazard review of the site, inadequate information provided to the worker, lack of escape route, and an unqualified worker. Falling trees greater than six inches in diameter must be done by a certified faller.
Find health and safety resources for the forestry industry at: www.worksafebc.com/forestry
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:08 A clump of trees not shown in project maps
0:36 Size requirements to fall trees
0:49 How to fall trees
1:10 Dangerous falling methods
1:47 How a tree barberchairs
2:15 What went wrong?
3:18 Employer obligations
3:30 Tree faller safety advice
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[@BulletproofPastor]

Alder's are widow-makers. My cousin (experienced logger/feller) warned me to wrap a 3/8 chain above the cut of any alder I might fell. That weekend I followed his good advice and it probably saved my life. As soon as I started my back-cut there was a loud "BANG" and I stopped to listen for anyone shooting as that is what it sounded like. I continued my cut and fell the tree only to find my chain embedded into the bark. I had to cut a 16" section of the tree above chain to release the tension. That tree would have barberchaired had the chain not kept it together. I owe my cousin my life. The vertical split in the trunk went over 15'.

[@user-tr2dh4xx6u]

thats genius to put a chain actually and ppl should learn this for safety

[@stinkybritches8174]

Falleded*

[@benjaminfernandez104]

I remember back in school my buddy dad that is a legend in the valley was a crazy very experienced logger felled huge cedars Doug Firs everything old growth heli logging. An alder killed him in the chest in winter a little alder

[@mumblesbadly7708]

Alder’s what? 🤔

[@larryweinberg1191]

@@mumblesbadly7708 mainly red alder grows in the PNW. There are white and black alder also, but way rarer. They take nitrogen from the air and fix it into soil of forests, oyster mushrooms colonize dying/down alders. But any timber faller, pre commercial thinner, brush cutter that stayed on job for any length of time has had a close call from a barber chairing alder. I for one. I was green for one. It happened so fast there was no reaction time. Even with proper cuts they can still BC. Extra caution is advised.

[@avenged277693]

My brother used to do this job. He said once, a tree was mid fall when it started to twist and change direction, swinging around a wide arc like a baseball bat. It ended up smacking straight into the tree he was hiding behind. Standing in the right place saved his life.

[@andrecostermans7109]

something few people know about firs , spruces aso, as these trees grew up tall they have a natural twist in their trunk( notice the bark) , clockwise or counter-clockwise, depends on which side the equater you' re living on ( it's the same when you unplug a barrel of water , the water turns left or right going through the hole) , now for some reason there are trees doing the opposite direction and if this the case that trunk is allready under ( unnatural) tension , when cutting down they will turn, twist ( about 90% off them) to their ' natural' position, very dangerous if not beiing aware of this , note; the wood of these trees is no good for planks aso, will rot much sooner ( space between the molecules far greater ) and tends to bend far more, just use it as firewood .... these info I got from a former logger and sawmillworker about 20 years ago in Austria.... and ,yes, he was right

[@Danuxsy]

People that played Valheim would know how dangerous and unpredictable trees are when falling.

[@allamericantreeservice3754]

That's why you should never fall a tree with canopy fully in tact. Climb up there and cut it down from top to bottom. I do it daily

[@rickwilson5611]

@@andrecostermans7109 You know the thing you said about water is a wives tail, water both above and below the equator go both directions as seen on myth busters.

[@rickwilson5611]

@@allamericantreeservice3754 Jesus how would loggers or people selling firewood make 5 cents if they climbed up and cut canopys off all day? How would you possibly cut 16 cord of stud wood with a saw per day?

[@brandonblair6868]

I grew up in the country and spent a fair amount of time in the bush from a young age. When I was around the age of 20 I was clearing a section on a very steep slope. It was mid summer and I was falling a relatively large maple. I had notched the backside and I was about a 1/3 of the way through the front when I heard the cracking start. I looked up to confirm that the canopy was falling where I was trying to place the tree...but the canopy was only moving slightly...there was too much noise, and not enough movement. I knew something was wrong but I couldn't tell what was happening. Then I saw the fracture in the trunk. Starting from my cut on the front side, running about 15ft up the trunk, the tree barberchaired. The tip of the barberchair acted as a fulcrum. I tried to bail out, but with the steepness of slope (about 40 degrees) and running backwards with a saw, my heels hooked up and I fell .... I watched the tree teeter on the fulcrum, until the thick canopy hit... the canopy acted like a trampoline. I will never forget the speed at which this tree shot at me. It was coming directly for my face. I rolled to the right and the tree grazed my left shoulder. The impact was so sever that imploded a 20-24" butt about 1.5 feet into the side of the bank. My ears, eyes, nose and mouth were filed with dirt. My friend, on the other side of the tree, called my name. I could tell by the way he called my name he thought I was dead. I couldn't say anything at first because my mouth was filled with dirt. I picked myself and the saw up walked down to the bottom of the slope. I probably shook for the next hour. It was a valuable lesson. I was at an age and experience level where I just knew enough to get myself in to a lot of trouble. A good dose of humility.

[@janetgray9685]

i am glad you are alive to talk about it

[@dsandoval9396]

Although I wouldn't wish to see someone's life in danger I do wish more youth would have more life experiences that teach them humility not unlike what you learned that day. I'm glad for you for being humble enough to learn from your mistakes as well as the fact that nothing happened to you, unfortunately I'm seeing more than ever kids talking out of their ass and acting with no humility whatsoever. Their pride is so strong that you could talk to them in a clear and calm manner presenting ONLY facts, logic, and common sense and they would STILL see it no other way than their own. A real man learns from their mistakes and listens to reason whether they're 27 or 77. Unfortunately I see so many man-babies and the thing that makes it worse is that THEY have kids they pass their idiocy to. Like the kid (17/18 y/o) that wanted to start his KZbin channel off with a bang, for his first video he had his GF shoot a .50 cal desert eagle at a book... IN FRONT OF HIS CHEST. He thought it would be thick enough to stop the bullet, needless to say that was his last video. Oh, he already had one kid and his girl was pregnant with the second. At least he won't be teaching them any stupidity of his, but now how much do you want to bet those kids will grow up with a crap father figure or even NO father figure. And the cycle repeats itself. Sad times but listening to stories like yours gives me just a little hope.

[@galehess6676]

Heck of a story man. Glad you are all right. Next time, just jam some taps in that maple and take its sap for maple syrup. :)

[@DonaldDump2024]

Brandon Blair Thanks for sharing your experience. Sobering how dangerous felling can be. Like working with electricity. One mistake and it’s over. My son works on HVAC and sometimes the prior worker does an improper wiring and the unit is hot. Doesn’t happen often so complacency sets in.

[@zacchcanavan5390]

Glad your ok bud

[@txbob]

When I first got to the North West (US) in '86 as a Land Surveyor, another party chief had grown up in Logging camp with his Dad, a professional Logger. One day we were clearing line, and a big Alder was on line and needed to go. I was about to start, when John stepped up and told me to wait, and that ANY ALDER should always have a chain put above the cut to stop Barberchairing. It made me shiver as I recalled as a 20 year old, my buddy and I had almost been killed by a big barberchairing Oak. I have chain ed every Alder since then, and some have for sure cracked and would have barberchaired If not for the chain......ALWAYS CHAIN AN ALDER ABOVE CUT !!!!!!!!!!!! I had told a friend of mine over and over over the years because he said he cut down 6 to 10 inch alders "ALL THE TIME"....well guess what, as of about 5 years ago HE ALWAYS CHAINS THEM NOW.....because one Barberchaired and came down less than a foot from him, bounced and caught him on the side of the leg pretty hard, with a bruise visible a month later. Those Alders are brittle and often have stress on them as they are leaning for a chance to get some sun..... BE CAREFUL WITH ALDERS, THEY ARE KILLERS.....nuf said

[@bcrusher1979]

This is why there are so many different ways to cut trees. For trees with a lean there is a plunge cut instead of the back cut. This way it will never barber chair even without a chain. Make your notch in the front, make a plunge just behind and above the notch, and cut back till the tree releases likr a trigger.

[@77gravity]

I'd never heard of putting a chain around the tree, that's a brilliant idea. Thank you.

[@harrisonp3727]

Chaining them is good insurance.

[@galehess6676]

And your too tired to get to the side (If chains dull , you been cutting a while!) .

[@galehess6676]

Thanks for that. I get it now. I was thinking he meant chain it to another tree, both attachment points up high. Now I see, wrap around and secure chain low, cut below that, and the tree can't split from itself, because the chain is like a waist-belt like on pants

[@mattthewelder4914]

Im literally in the ER with a broken leg because of a barber chair right now Guy i was with said my notches were too big. Went smaller, barber chaired up to 12 feet. I didn't have time to react and got struck on the hardhat, and left tibia and fibula broken. Lucky to be alive.

[@adnan9520]

What kinda tree was it? Hope you get better soon bro

[@vinigarr801]

You should change your name to 'Worker 1".

[@connorlowis4774]

stick to welding matt, its better money and less dangerous. Im trying to tansition from tree cuttin to iron working myself atm

[@urblotasunkynewulf615]

@@connorlowis4774 Take care of your eyes. I welded for many years and have photosensitivity and dry eyes. Always shield your eyes. A cupped hand is not enough.

[@markg7963]

I owe the internet to keeping me from falling a leaning tree. I did not know about these hazards, and figured I had cut enough firewood and such as a kid, coupled with chainsaw ownership. Watched a couple videos for advise and was thus informed of a ton of stuff I didn’t know. Paid a crew to remove the tree and haul it off. Glad I did! I wish you a full recovery and happy life sir!

[@yarply12]

Man, things sure have changed since when I was young felling and bucking trees in Idaho. The only qualification then was that you could use a chainsaw and wasn't afraid of heights. Watching this video makes me feel Im lucky to be alive, but we all started that way back then. The only training you got was on the job.

[@ralphhenderson5276]

People had more sense about things like trees, fire and water back then. Life now is so guarded and safety-inspected, we’ve lost the instinct for sensing what can kill us.

[@knockhello2604]

@@ralphhenderson5276 yup

[@knockhello2604]

@@ralphhenderson5276 eh. Vapors are dangerous

[@tbatallen]

@@ralphhenderson5276 Though to be fair the rate of work related fatalities has reduced a good deal compared to where it was historically, H&S improvements likely being a big cause of that. Still agree with the point people shouldn’t get overly reliant on the judgement/risk assessment of others to where they sacrifice their own instincts and common sense.

[@saltwaterrook4638]

Yea, and the deaths across the trades was much much higher so quit your bullshit.

[@goaskmymom1350]

In 1918 my g.grandfather was cutting a tree, it baberchaired hitting the base of his skull. They were farmers and the nearest hospital was to far and the rough country road would have done him in quick. They laid him on the kitchen table sent for the doc to come where he found his skull was severely damaged. They couldn't do much but tried to keep him comfortable and three days later he passed. He left behind a wife and nine kids. He was only 52. Cannot imagine how he must have suffered.

[@chrishare3981]

I have learnt a lot from all of these videos.good job on safety instruction.

[@twoallbeefpattys3097]

"Learnt"

[@frankless4672]

It is very informative. I learned not to die while cutting trees

[@billobrien4761]

This is scary. I've literally made every mistake that that guy made. Thank the Lord nothing has happened

[@lmathews5608]

There it is again! Never be worker one, people!

[@mikeguitar9769]

Somebody should fire worker #1 before he kills somebody! /s

[@zacharysmith5947]

LOL

[@brianandlynphilippines]

All the jokes at the expense of the deceased... Ha, ha, ha... So f'ing funny, ya sick bastaad

[@qaz3000]

One of my best buddies almost lost his dad last summer in a similar fashion. He is alive but his life will never be the same he sustained severe injuries. Even with experience this is still very dangerous.

[@rustusandroid]

Thank you for the animations! Before these videos was hard for me to see HOW these kind of things could 'get you'.

[@wizardsuth]

Recently I've been clearing paths in the woods that were blocked by debris in the wake of a wind storm. Mostly I'm clearing brush, but occasionally I have to remove a tree that's fallen across the path and is leaning on other trees. Though I'm using a hand saw, watching some of these videos on tree feeling has helped me appreciate the potential dangers and shown me ways to avoid them.

[@MikeBaxterABC]

I've felled literally thousands of trees, up to 24 inches in diametre, I've never had one barber chair, and probably only a half dozen fall "the wrong way" ... Why? Simple! ... TRAINING, My Father taught me and I learned from his example, watching him fall tress from 6 to 10 years old before I started doing them under his supervision. The "Clear an Escape Path" rule seems wasteful of time, but we do it every time, often it's simply a matter of a 5 minute job ... kicking some dead wood out of the way and slashing some brush! Great video! It could save a life!

[@markjames6489]

This was a red alder It is probably the tree most likely to barber chair. There are techniques to reduce the risk. This guy did not use them.

[@nextlevelbjj3083]

Yeggster Shane you say you've cut thousands of trees and never had one barber chair. You realize some of these guys cut a thousand trees themselves in on year alone? Please think before sharing your experiences like you are superior to anyone else.

[@redemptusrenatus5336]

Find TheGap He literally said the difference was TRAINING not SUPERIORITY. "These guys" you mention are not the ones falling thousands of trees in a year. The video specifically states they were not certified to fell trees. The worker, without adequate information, took it upon himself to fell the trees. The certification people get to fell trees is proof of what? Being superior? No, of having the requisite training to pass standardized testing of some sort that then certifies the person to be able to fell trees in as safe a manner as possible with the required knowledge to be able to plan the felling and work appropriately to the situation at hand. Think before you put words in other people's mouths that were never there to begin with.

[@Rokonroller]

Redemptus Renatus exactly!

[@roadhouse8604]

In this case the feller had two tasks, and did both of them incorrectly. If he would have done just one of them correctly, he would likely be alive.

[@13yelworC13]

"Worker one" is a bad omen

[@jeffrey9224]

Man, I agree with one of the comments below, your story raised hairs. My wife and I currently bought some land on the oregon coast, and has HUGE Spruce and Hemlock, as well as a few alder. I recently took down the biggest tree of my life, probably a 36-40 inch Hemlock and while I've fell a good number of trees in my youth, it felt a bit frightening. I think some fear is always good to have, it's serious business, and one should never lose that awareness of a dangerous situation.

[@kareno8634]

W0W! NEVER Knew certain Trees had Different Attitudes about being cut. THANKS!

[@StephenPaulTroup]

Good informational video. But you never really know where the blame lies in these situations. The worker was obviously inadequately trained for cuts larger than 6". His employer may have made it clear, w/o saying so, they didn't want to incur the cost of a certified feller and he may have felt the need to do this type work to keep his job. Also, I am in construction, often there is work to be done not shown on the drawings, especially in Division 2 (sitework). Generally speaking, when you clear a ROW / Easement you clear the entire width of the ROW / Easement and this worker may have been told to do that. I am a believer in Sun Tzu's philosophy that whenever soldiers fail (in this case a worker) it is always the leaders who are at fault, because they did 1 of 2 things, 1) Didn't train the soldier adequately OR 2) Didn't give clear instructions.

[@cliffclark6441]

This 6 inch tree stuff is stupid a 6 inch tree will kill you faster than a 20 inch tree, A 6 inch tree can and often do split. And is much more likely to kick back if hitting another tree.

[@ScottLRoyal]

Great summary of the accident. "Don't overestimate your abilities" and "only fall tree's you are qualified to fall". Excellent advice. Everyone that uses a chainsaw is responsible for their choices. Is responsible to know their skillset and to be able to walk away when the tree requires more talent than they have.

[@jaykemm3472]

I was cuttin down a tree with a guy once and one did this. Took his head clean off. We found it in the bed of the truck 30 feet away. Awful.

[@willstaywinning]

Omg you serious?!

[@ruttlicker1139]

Can tell just by your choice of words that you’re full of complete shit

[@YoursUntruly]

Could have been worse, could have been me!

[@dgodrummer8110]

i watch these videos to keep me AWARE. As a reminder to be SAFE. As a small time sawyer and logger, when ever I fall a tree it's 10 minutes of in head discussion, walking around tree a few times, assessing the ground cover and possible obstacles, then finally a plan in mind, set up and cut. I usually try to find a tree to hide behind if I can. :) my generally rule, get as far away as possible, once I see it going.

[@AugustHunicke]

Some good points here except I disaggree with putting the blame on the employer/line clearance company. If it's an established rule that only certified fallers cut significant trees, then why blame the company for the insubordination of the employee? Seems logical to me that if the company sends brush cutters into an area of dense brush they can expect the cutters to cut the brush and not start falling the trees.

[@greenfield1944]

The point is that because of inadequate supervision the worker was cutting trees which had not been properly identified on the work plan. Because of this he apparently thought he was cutting trees had to be taken down.

[@AugustHunicke]

Kurt Richter yeah, seems like you're making my point though. If another employee would answer that a colleague might not follow the rules, it doesn't mean that the boss would be privy to that info. Employees are very cliquey and often keep many things from management. If a person is killed or injured while breaking the rules, it should be "on them." I have seen my children bang their heads and injure themselves while throwing a tantrum. I was sad they were injured but they did incur it on themselves. I do my best to protect them, they aren't playing in traffic, but sometimes they even hurt themselves within the reasonable parameters I've set.

[@kedwa30]

It's not about blame, it's about responsibility. If the case was closed putting it all on the employee then the company is left being a helpless irresponsible victim with rising insurance rates and lower employee moral. When they look for how it could be their fault, then they discover what they can do to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening again and then they become empowered, responsible and in control.

[@gorilladelgadodd]

August Hunicke you dont know what the foreman told his workers

[@900stx7]

kedwa30 Helpless irresponsible victim ? Do you think blaming thr employer is going to improve their insurance rates ? You only clear the area on the plan. If it's not on the plan, don't cut it. I'm sure the employee passed many trees on his way to work. Do we have to tell him to not cut them also ?

[@vikingrobot4179]

I was cutting a frozen Bradford pear tree that fell across my driveway so my wife and I could leave for work. The trunk was still standing but a large brand was broken at the crotch. All I had to do was make one cut and the large branch would be free. Where I made my cut there was still upward tension on the branch I guess and as soon as I got 2/3 through the branch it barber haired explosively and shot right past my face like a slingshot so fast. I set the saw down and counted my lucky stars. My Wife saw the whole thing and both of us were shocked at how that thing rocketed past me. I swore I’d never cut another frozen tree ever again that’s still standing. Another inch or so and I probably would have been seriously disfigured or dead.

[@evmanbutts]

Felled many trees with my dad when I was younger. I was made well aware of the dangers of hangups and barberchairs. Seeing 10 inch trees with straight cut stumps makes my rear end pucker... Very risky technique, nevermind the sloppy overcutting that alone could end with a very bad day being had

[@TheCymbalProject]

Not involved in forestry at all... but these animations really help a layman like myself to understand the exact nature of the different hazards that forestry workers face on a daily basis. Clearly, this kind of work is not for the faint of heart...

[@jacec5855]

I believe he was just trying to do a good job.

[@montebelloqc]

A job he was not trained to do. I learned that lesson too. Cutting trees is very dangerous. I almost broke my leg but instead bruised my foot badly.

[@donmoore7785]

Well, he wasn't doing it safely, obviously. He had no escape route! A "good" job tree cutting includes safety.

[@jarodstrain8905]

Most people do not understand the risks of intricacies of such work. Very sad.

[@okaygerepied5388]

Feels bad for him

[@jsrocker1776]

I agree just trying to do a good job. If everyone only did what they were qualified for nothing for ever get done.

[@rronmar]

‘Alders are prone to barber chair” is an understatement...

[@worksafebc]

Please note that in the Pacific Northwest, we commonly use the term falling trees rather than felling trees, which is used in other regions. Find health and safety resources for the forestry industry: www.worksafebc.com/forestry

[@justinwilliams3237]

Here in the northwest we have lots of big burly trees but I swear the alders have to be the most dangerous.

[@jayonez137]

I have been cutting trees for a long time. It is literally one of the most dangerous jobs out there

[@willsoonmarc8711]

Much respect to you guys. It's very necessary important work that everybody is not made to do.

[@itchyego]

Thank you for this video, very sad about the worker. I'm wanting to fell a 15" diameter Abezia along the fence line in Hawaii.... I'm trying to learn and take all the precautions mentioned in this and the other felling videos.

[@s.w.5349]

+Ken Johnston Did you survive? Falling trees is one of the most dangerous jobs!

[@allthingsoutdoors3261]

Don’t fall the albezia tree they are so wonderful

[@steamsteam6607]

That's a good animation.

[@johnwade5747]

It didn't look animated to me.

[@BrianStocking]

You fell a tree not fall a tree. Felling trees can be very tricky even by experienced people. My friend had a branch fall out of the tree as he was cutting down. Without a hard hat the branch cut deep into his head and he almost bled out before help came. I've felled many trees over the past 20 years or so and every one scares the shit out of me until its down on the ground.

[@cliffclark6441]

A good logger felling tress will fall a hundred a day. In pine. hard wood for ties you need to get a least 50. If you have any fear of felling trees you should never fall one. Most of the videos i have seen on ytube theses people should not own saws. My wife is much better at felling tress then most men. But hell both of us been doing it from child hood. At 12 year old we could fall trees. And make it go where we want it to go. And know when a tree might split. Or a limb might break off. And in them conditions to take precautions now days using the loader bucket. To take tree down. We both to old to run.

[@jorjaygonzalez]

In BC we say fall and falling. We are Fallers not Fellers.

[@wharris7594]

always use a face cut/direction cut/god cut. make sure it is 1/3 into the tree for the hinge, 2 escape routes 45 degrees to rear of tree and always brush out the underbrush, tap on the tree to make sure its not rotten and watch for widowmakers. make sure top story is not connected to other trees or vines running to other trees. watch for springpole trees that can kick out when bucking the tree. The best way to learn is from also Reading up on the subject. wear leg chaps for leg protection, PPE Personal Protective Equipment. eyewear, leg chaps, gloves, boots, hardhat, Radio, Emergency Escape Plan, earplugs/earmuffs. Dont get a big ego either. Be safe and read directions.

[@Clownmeati8]

I've been in construction my whole life and seen a lot of accidents on the job. I do remodels now and still see people taking risks that make me cringe. It only takes that one time that things go wrong.. you might run a stop sign several times without looking and get away with it but that one time someone t bones you and changes your life forever can never be taken back....

[@blaine4754]

Thank you TJ Miller

[@psychobunny32]

I was about to cut down some cedar trees on my place and saw this video. I won't be doing it now. Will leave the large trees to the pros.

[@martyreking1048]

Wise decision my friend ...

[@HankTheTank23]

+Missy Rabbit How big are they?

[@psychobunny32]

Henry Rosenberg over 12 feet, but some are starting to loosen up at the root zone. We have gotten lots of rain and the soil is very soft . These trees have lots of dead limbs so I think they were starting to rot at the root. They are very close to each other so, if you have to jump out of the way of falling limbs, you don't have much space. They are heavily branched. Going to wrap a chain around the fallen ones and drag them out with the tractor. I hate cedar.....they are such a pain.

[@AndrewBrowner]

youll live a long, but boring life my friend

[@sierrasanders1048]

@@psychobunny32 lol the fact that you replied with the height instead of the diameter shows you dont need to be anywhere near tree falling.

[@AnimeSunglasses]

"Felling trees thicker than 6 in is dangerous and should not be done if untrained in how to make a tree fall in a desired direction" feels like it ought to be information that we learn in primary school...

[@TheZeeebull]

They showed us this film at our tolko meeting this year.

[@jonrogers4171]

always good info. from these video's .. I knew about the under cut but this explained the entire process ....I've been in the logging areas they were falling trees & I drove the logging trucks after the first cut to the mills ,,,,that is Dammed DANGEROUS WORK ....I was offered to fell a tree but I declined as it was a 25" tree base ( the feller was right there but I didnt have chaps or other gear on ...

[@unenslaver1333]

I literally learned from the competition pros who drop timbers on watermelons. Could drop 10-16" dead standing trees (only thing legal in Ak) for firewood within 3' of target fall... Except for the time I tried to drop a tall one right behind the Jeep for easy removal. Dropped that sucker dead center over the Jeep, smashing the windshield frame down a couple inches. At least I always had an escape route and kept the bar behind me when sprinting away from falling trees.

[@pr4ynp0t]

thanks for narrating this TJ miller

[@DAS-Videos]

An escape rout to the side saves many a hides. This poor guy stood right in line with the cut.

[@go5582]

Hi. Great video. Thank you for showing us the accident in 3d.

[@hiramabifffromsirius146]

Trees always have the right of way...

[@royhoco5748]

"what we have here is a failure to communicate" Strother Martin as the warden in Cool Hand Luke

[@mhks68]

roy hoco Part of a call back working is not citing the source. Inside jokes are inside for a reason.

[@dallasstack9856]

I hate falling trees its so mf dangerous even gotta worry about a gush of wind fucking up the tree making it go a different direction .

[@CaleTheNail]

My friend died from a stuck tree. When he made the cut it fell and swung around and crushed his chest into the ground. He didn't see it coming when he was walking away.

[@christianxxx9393]

Rip to your friend

[@russcorbett3923]

regardless of details , I'm so sorry for the man an and his family ,,, wow ,, that's truly shocking to see ,,, :(

[@papalilburn]

Sounds like a company trying to dodge a liability suit from the victim's family.

[@punisherxomega7308]

a lot of the time its the workers inexperience or lack of attention to detail that causes these accidents

[@mdrew44628]

I had a tree barberchair nearly 12 feet up the trunk. I quickly wrapped some webbing around the trunk, then jumped on the trunk and climbed above where it had split. I cut a new wedge and back cut to fell the tree in the original orientation. The guy I was working with was so impressed that he bought me lunch.

[@kansascowboy5721]

I had no idea cutting a tree down was so technical. I'll never cut another one down and leave it to the professionals

[@psychomikeo500]

my dad and I were cutting a dead tree in our yard down. He was a feller for 16 years. we both looked at it all around. it looked to have a hard lean in one direction, but somehow was balanced. had to wedge it over. next ones will get cabled and pulled where they need to go. and we know how to undercut and bore cut as well.

[@TexasArcadesTV]

It all comes down to physics. Most Fellers have to be thought for a long time because they need to understand the physics of how a tree falls, just like going to college for a PHD. They have to learn, Pressures, Forces, Resistance, weight, Ambient & Gravity. One of the previous comments said that a Pro cuts down thousands of trees in a year, that is wrong and stup!d. Each tree has to be analyzed, studied and planned before felling. A true professional will take lots of time before actually felling the tree. Who ever is doing it to cut them as fast as possible is a fool waiting to die.

[@TheRakuman]

Denny Clifton I’m right there with ya bud! I have cut down several alders that existed on property that I used to own. One of these trees had a base diameter of approximately 8”. I had a clear escape route so I was able to get out of harms way very quickly. I dropped the chainsaw, ran and didn’t look back. The tree did not “barber-chair” so that was good. I will never attempt to be a tree feller again!

[@davids.9834]

Its not rocket science but it takes a large degree of common sense and practice. The common sense part seems to be lacking in the new generation. Even with 30 years of experience... occasionally a tree gets a little crazy... that's what I call it. But even when a tree gets crazy I have already surveyed the site and already have multiple escape plans in my head. One thing I see a lot... is when things go wrong, and the saw gets pinched, people sit there and try to get the saw out as the tree is cracking and starting to fall. Just let go of the damned thing and get away... you can fix a saw.

[@noreason2701]

Small trees are fine to cut down on your own

[@chrismaze5959]

I too have fell many trees and when I was younger with no experience. Needless to say I dodge many Bullets. It is a dangerous job

[@taylorredmond643]

Judging by the cuts shown on the stump of the incident the fellow was highly inexperienced for one not looking at the other side of the tree before beginning a back cut, or in my opinion a bore, may not have even known what species of trees he was dealing with from one tree to the next.

Ya gotta have a good leader to teach the new guys. And ya gotta have a good listener and the new guy. I remember started in construction building house foundations. There were not really any good step by step teachers, so I built, and then 4 hours later learned that I screwed up and had to tear it down and do it over. I guess that is a good way to learn from trial and error. The leaders said they were bipolar, a lot of the time they looked high as hell on something and angry most of the time, but when it seemed like they were happy then they communicate with me. And I guess, me being completely new apprentice is definitely a big difference of someone with building engineering degrees and certifications.

[@OmmerSyssel]

Sounds chaotic! Which country allows such madness?

[@marsh2202]

Good video I watch these videos for safety.

[@TheBeingReal]

I would bet if you looked back at that workers history, he had been falling trees larger than he was certified too for a long time.

[@khrystree9233]

Good video from a sad incident, shows how things can go wrong fast, but shows how being prepared and planning yr work counts for everything. 😔 Poor guy. K

[@jeffreysheldrake8126]

I was lucky. I bought a chainsaw for our bush block. Firewood and tree clearing. After the dozer finished there was a big pile of trees. Awhile tree took my interest and away I went.just as I cut through I realised my mistake. Don't cut trees in a pile as you don't know how they are twisted. I cut the root base off which pivoted on another. Tree went up and so did root base...and me and my saw. That was the closest I came to being cut in half by my own saw. I don't cut firewood any more and realise you need proper training and experience to work a saw safe. Good luck timber cutters

[@x2malandy]

"Widow Maker" is a dead limb up in the tree that can dislodge during cutting, fall and kill you. You have to have an escape route to boggy fast. In times past, I hear that instead of a normal wedge, they had a black powder wedge. Load it up with black powder and let er rip. I also heard that their was some wedges flying thru the woods from time to time.

[@galehess6676]

wedges can fly stil, even plastic. and vines can pull limbs off that become widow makers, or pull trees on angles toward you

[@mikemcgarvey3584]

Read what William Harris has to say. He sums it up fairly well. My 020T finally died after years and years of service. :-(

[@knockhello2604]

Who

[@rickhatesmisleadia7101]

I was a land surveyor for the entire 80's and use to cut our own site lines through dense bush. Ive cut 6" + sized trees down with a hatchet, axe, brush hook or chain saw. And I mean hundreds of tree's over a 10 year period and never had a problem with the tree's themselves. The saw almost got me once and thank God for chainsaw pants but the tree's were never an issue if you cut them right. I was also self taught and just used common sense and never had a problem.

[@solidbanjobanjo9367]

You got a loicense for cutting down that tree?

[@The_DC_Kid]

Weird. I've cut a good number of Alders, as well as other varieties, and I've seen some split up a few feet but never as bad as this. The amount of lean and bow in the trunk, which creates tension, is a good indicator of any tree being likely to try to split. You gotta finish the last cut pretty quickly, be fully prepared to actually jump away if needed, be willing to drop your saw like it was trash, AND HAVE A CLEAR AND EASY PATH OF ESCAPE. Logging is dangerous work even when you know what you're doing. Stupid trees sometimes do what you don't expect.

[@cliffclark6441]

Any wind shook tree can do this. Bad thing is the only training that works is your eyes watching the saw cut for the sign of it. And knowing how to spot a wind shook tree. A cut log on a saw mill can also do this. There is a video on ytube where a guy had this happen when he was sawing a log on his saw mill. Most all the real loggers have passed on. And these so called instructors today are crazy and don't know what they are talking about. and seldom have any knowledge sawing in the real world.

[@joeneighbor]

Yea I watched a number of these and what I learn is just drop your saw. Don't care if it was a $500 saw. It's going to cost a lot more for medical care and/or lost wages et al. Going to move out of the way better with out the saw in hand.

[@TopoPilot]

I thought how hard can it be? Then I went out onto my land and started dropping trees. I got lucky on the 3rd tree and barely escaped death. I took some courses and learned how perilously close I was to being killed. Don't do what I did. at least get some training from someone who knows what they are doing. I got very lucky on my land.

[@t3hPoundcake]

I'm so glad that I grew up learning how to use tools, hand tools and power tools. Chainsaws and lawn equipment, and how to use it safely. It's crazy how few people are familiar with these kind of things.

[@OmmerSyssel]

It's even more crazy ordinary people guess they are qualified for highly dangerous and complicated work, based on someone they happened to know! Take a course by qualified institution, instead of being part of future statistic..

[@jimhofoss9982]

avoid falling into standing timber, too. If you don’t have a cleared escape route, don’t fall it. And never turn your back to a moving object.

[@chrispalffy3511]

Im an ex native feller ( bushman) then did logging, then became a trainer accessor within the logging industry in New Zealand. I shake my head at this needless waste of a life.Tree felling by nature is a dangerous occupation but is also a rewarding one. Some basic training by his employers would have made the difference between life and death. There are several different simple cuts used for trees that are prone to splitting, its a shame nobody invested the time into this guy.

[@rpotter6147]

This is a very unfortunate accident. The fact that no escape path had been cleared was negligance. Was the worker trained ? I'm sure he would have been. To point fingers at others is not going to make the next guy follow the rules. When you're dead you don't know it. It's other people that suffer. Same thing when you're stupid.

[@r.b.4611]

No he was not trained in tree felling.

[@steve773f]

Good thing there was plenty of previous stumps and evidence showing just how unqualified this guy was overall.

[@DarkWolf22K]

*Tree Took That Personally*

[@ratandmonkey2982]

Apparently, lots of types of trees can barber chair. I had a 14", leaning, black cherry do it to me a couple days ago. I had no undercut, since I didn't know what I was doing. I was using a hand saw and tried to save myself the effort of the undercut.

[@rickthomas6606]

I see no flaging of tree line boundaries to show what side to stay on

[@mikehunt2667]

Always have experienced supervisor on the job . Could have saved this guys life .

[@georgew2432]

That's a big alder, the Alders on the east coast grow in clumps and get no bigger than maybe 4 inch.

[@johnlewisbrooks]

NEVER fell a massive tree without clearance! I'm doing a job tomorrow involving an out of control chinese elm tree that's gotten out of hand. It's dropping 400lb chunks and is dying so I have to cut it and the advice this video gives is certainly worth listening to! 1, make absolutely CERTAIN you can get away. Clear out ANYTHING you can trip over. I've cleaned nearly my entire front yard in the event I have to haul ass. 2, Make sure to have ALL ansi approved safety gear including hard hat, visor, ear protection, gloves, leggings and possibly even knee protectors and steel toed boots. 3, Make sure you know hot to operate a chainsaw properly and understand the dangers. These things are no joke! 4, Cut the trees limbs so it is properly weighted to fall in the right direction One of my methods is to do the same in this video with a proper undercut and I stick a 40 ton BOTTLE JACK into a rectangular cut to make ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN the tree falls right where I want it. 5 and most important. DO NOT TAKE ON MORE THAN YOU CAN HANDLE. I've seen many accidents and a guy suffered a barberchair kickback and let's just say...well...the funeral was closed casket. His head looked like a banged up pumpkin totally squashed. Nothing but mush with skin.

[@drew856856]

It's so sad to hear a guy lost his life this way

[@1_fishin_magician153]

we call that a widow maker around here.....

[@davidm.4670]

Also referred to as 'cat facing'? ('barber chair')

[@paulheckbert]

The explanation "his incorrect cuts into the alder led it to barberchair" at 2:52 is vague and doesn't appear to be supported by the picture. At 1:53 it says "the overcutting increased the chances of the tree splitting as the tree fell", but the split that's shown doesn't emanate from the sloppy notch cut but from the half-finished back cut. It appears that the main problem was not incorrect cuts, but cutting an alder without a chain holding the trunk together (as suggested by several other commenters).

[@Aranimda]

RIP Worker 1.

[@chrismooremusic4383]

Good lord was it his first day on the job my goodness those cuts were ridiculous

[@margepalmer5316]

Thank you Y. You don't fall a tree, you fell a tree.

[@hyzercreek]

Have you ever heard of a faller buncher? Me neither.

[@edwardkent]

a tree falls....fell is the past tense....until a tree has completley fallen, it has not fell.......at the start your aim is to make a tree fall over, ( you wouldn't say i'm going to make this tree fell, you would say i'm going to make this tree fall) as in (i'm going to fall over, i fell over = past tense) so to fall a tree is grammatically correct........this is probably why americans think someone as wooden as Tom Cruise can act......remember fuckwits..... fell is past tense.

[@buddyclem7328]

@@edwardkent That might be true in Canada, but in America it's: I will fell those trees, I am felling a tree, I felled some trees. There is no such thing as a job called a feller, they are called tree cutters. Feller would be some old feller who lives up the holler with a moonshine still and a dog that's yeller. That's how hillbillies talk, so feller ain't proper English! Different countries have different rules, but that doesn't make it any less annoying.

[@worksafebc]

In BC, we use the term faller. We understand that in other regions, this is not the term that is used, but we don't produce videos for audiences outside of BC, though we're happy to have you here watching our safety videos.

[@fivestring65ify]

The worker shouldn't have been falling trees if he wasn't qualified. Rule number one falling a tree is to look around the tree and determine which way it's leaning. Rule number two. Make sure you have an escape route. Rule number 3. When you make your straight cut, make sure you cut out the heart of the tree. Then, notch it and make your back cut.

[@craigdiaz4143]

just out of curiosity, what is the benefit of humboldt over open face or conventional face cuts if you are felling such small trees and not saving the lumber?

[@pascrew4639]

This video was great besides feeling like I'm in a work induction quarter way through...

[@mrsseasea]

aka.....”widow maker” that’s what my grandpa called this cut.....

[@meiroses7424]

yes.. we have multiple of these in our woods.. had to move camp site because one was really close to falling..

[@zsozso411]

HI I’m from Transylvania, we start using chain saws as young as 13 years old kids without any training or safety equipment, also some of us like to get drunk start the chainsaw and run around with it in their hands… by the way this last fella died of a heart attack in a church not by the chainsaw. These sort of videos bring home the truth about how dangerous chainsaw work can be especially if you haven’t got a clue about what your doing. People should stay away from chainsaws if they haven’t had proper training. Stay safe!

[@40mes]

My daughter suggested we play tennis this afternoon, but it looks like heavy rain. So another day!

[@gregatkinson7276]

There is a very good reason pros cut from the top down when removing a tree entirely (of size.)

[@christuttle3980]

If in doubt… Let the guy with more seniority then you fall the tree😎

[@PatrickPierceBateman]

Chop down whatever trees I want, however I want. Got it.

[@kennethking8943]

In my 35 years and 3rd generation tree remover ,wild cherry trees are the most likely to Barber chair .

[@cliffclark6441]

Yes they are bad, Got to watch that notch. I fell one all most 30 inches, put it thru my saw mill. And that is where i got the cherry beams in my house. But white oak can be worse if it is not notched right. I have seen them split 20 ft up the log.

[@galehess6676]

dang good to know i have a bunch and I have cut a few, some very large, thankfully my buddy gave me chaps and a lid and taught me, apprently prettty safe cuts, but i will maybe plunge cut or wrap with chain or both.

[@rolandohernandez36]

I Work On A Golf Course And Well We've Been How Can I Say This , But Strongly Urged By The Assistant Superintendent To Fall Trees That Are Deemed In The Way Of Golfers Ball Trajectories, And Mind You These Are Big Trees , I Wont Lie , Sometimes I Do Get A Little Afraid , Cause Some Ot These Trees Are About As Tall As A Five Or Six Story Building, So The Trunks Are Quite Large , These Trees Look Strong But The Limbs Are Weak , Eucalyptus Trees We Have Cut Some Down That Needed A Little Help , Now Imagine A Worker Nudging It With A Mid Size Backhoe , I Could Not Stress Enough How Dangerous This Was To My Partner, We Fell Alot Of Tress A This Course, Luckily We Never Had Any Deaths, This Is What Type Of Work That Needed To Be Done , But Thats Because Of A Assistant Superintendent, That Is Always Trying To Please The Members And Over Looking Workers Safety, And Watching Out For His Job.

[@davidchisholm1179]

Correction: This Type of work is done by a certified Utility Arborist with a falling endorsement in B.C. A certified faller can do the work but a CUA must be present if the trees have the potential to come within limits of Approach. It's all in section 19 OH&S.

[@mrbluenun]

Great video that shows exactly what a "Barbers Chair" is and what some think I assume because they do nothing to prevent one carry on bad practices. Never ever be so ‘know it all’ you cannot take advice and or criticism from anyone, it might just save your life. I know of at least one person who because he or she (I do not want to be seen throwing rocks you understand) can afford a thousand dollar saw, thinks thats enough to assume absolutely wrongly they can cut any trees in any situation. | I won’t watch him as although he or she hasn’t had a Barber Chair, time and skill is not part of his arsenal, and ‘BIG TALK’ will never save anyone when they don’t even understand the basic principles of not just felling but bucking also. This video is truly terrifying stuff, and I hope anyone whom has at least two neurones working will watch and either get trained or get someone in to cut the trees that are too awkward for non-skilled cutters, this is so far not happened as they think they are trained as I mentioned. I am going on my memory which is not great, but I feel sure whether one cut, ten, or 1000 trees per year it has to be worth getting a one or two days cutting course, for ones own safety and others. The person I was talking of might cut less than ten per year and thinks the ‘odds’ are on his or her side because of this, which is a huge error !!!

[@cliffclark6441]

The smaller amount you cut the more chance of getting hurt. I am not near as good today as i was years ago, But a feller can hit a coke can placed any where within a 45 degree angle from center of notch. Also know how to roll the tree on the stump, Or in some cases another tree to the ground. In 1970s i was cutting over 25,000 a year for mine props. At lest 100 ever day.

[@Mrbfgray]

I guess he won't make that mistake again.

[@justingutierrez3795]

This is my first season I bought a farmboss a hand full of tags I'm having trouble finding anything besides pine any tips should I talk to the locals or did I start too late and all the good product is gone

[@bioswars8827]

Work safe or die, that's the motto, it's harsh , but it's true. And it does not just apply to tree cutting.

[@itsruf1]

observation: I've cut plenty of 6" - 24" on my property. Big ones with a quality line mounted high attached to a Deere. Always an exit path. Always bird mouth cuts. But a tree can still fool you. Midwest oaks, Maples, Hickory will twist on occasion, spin and go the other way. I don't care what it appears the fall direction should be it can and will go where you didn't think it would. @ 1:54 the "overcut" should be a poster in every Stihl Dealership.

[@xclimatexcoldxx]

I never knew a tree could go up vertically. I wonder if there's a simple little tool they use to wrap around the tree to keep it together. Probably not. I'm sure a ratchet strap is fine enough.

[@spineboy]

They wrap chains around the trunk.

[@jcarry5214]

Trees can exert way more pressure than you'd think. Their stored energy and leverage is almost too much to be believed or understood. I've never heard of wrapping chains or cables. I wouldn't trust a tree of any size to a ratchet strap. And I've seen to many chains break to every be tempted to try that. Trees that are likely to barberchair (standing dead or rotten) are often left alone or removed with explosives if they must be taken down. If it's in a developed area chopping off chunks top to bottom like an arborist does in a confined area is also an option. But bad technique can cause almost any tree to do this. Once you learn what a barberchair is and what it does it's the single scariest thing to a sawyer. At least the ones I know.