No Nonsense Guide to Felling Dead Trees.

Dead trees increase the danger of tree felling in several ways. The limbs above you are much more likely to break off, the wood may be weakened making the hinge more likely to break, there may be voids inside that you cannot know about until the tree is already falling, the tree can start falling at any time because it is weak, even when just cutting the notch. And the list goes on, so be careful!
I cut down several dead trees in this video, mainly because they are likely to end up falling on my driveway, and also I use them for firewood.
Barber chair discussed here: • No Nonsense Guide to T...
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0:00 Intro
0:57 Tractor block heater
1:47 Tree #1 preparation
3:31 Start cutting
7:30 Tree #1 cleanup and stump
14:29 Merch store!
15:18 Poison ivy
16:04 Leaner
20:28 Dead tree #2
23:24 Trees #3 & 4
27:35 Outro
29:15 Blooper

[@FarmCraft101]

Seriously, have respect for those dead trees. They can trick you and things go bad really quickly! Also, be careful with those leaners! I will probably do another video on leaners in the future. We've been working hard on designing merch for the new store. Check it out at www.farmcraft101.com! Please let us know if you have any requests! Have an amazing weekend everybody, and thank you for your support!!

[@kz6fittycent]

Would the same techniques be used to fell a tree with an ax? I was just thinking, I've felled smaller trees w/ a chainsaw using the same techniques, but that makes me think that somehow an ax might be different. Thoughts?

[@Fireball9394]

You cut like I cut…safety is #ONE PRIORITY! Felling trees gets my adrenaline going big time!! My dad, may he RIP always said, always fuel anything outside and wrap a log chain 5ft up from the base of the tree! Never knew why until later on…smart man he was and I sure miss him!! Thanks for your videos and BTW I always learn things from the best like you!!

[@bigdaddy741098]

Also, be careful where you point your bar... I love a good blooper, had me giggling as well.

[@tolgaevcimen1324]

Looking forward for international shipments! From Turkey with love!

[@1110519546]

The blooper at the end was a good touch of comedy.

[@richardphelan8414]

Machinist ,mechanic ,fabricator ,Electrician ,Lumber jack ,Carpenter, Farmer, Electronic Tech , Mill right, Teacher extraordinaire ,One of the absolute best U Tube channels going today John is unique in His range of Skills and he's good at all of them .

[@f4c3l355]

Metalurgist, philanthropist! Sometimes a comedian, loves seals. Also knows how to handle a Johnson, haha, sorry!

[@mercedesbenzisbest]

Seal enthusiast

[@Grain_side_carving]

I think he usually spells his name "Jon" but yea rest of it checks out

[@TheMortenjohansen]

Great video. Again 👍

[@kilianortmann9979]

And a pretty good film maker on top all of that.

[@jackriminton7959]

It's a genuine treat to sit down with one of these videos every week. Please don't change!

[@erklaerbaer01]

Here in Germany we like to use a tool that translates into "trunk press" it's basically a extra heavy duty ratchet strap that you can use to prevent barber charing.

[@mattfleming86]

I use a transport grade ratchet strap that I shortened to about 10ft/3m for convenience. For the really fat and heavy leaning trees a 5/16" logging chain wrapped a few times. One only needs to have one experience with a bad barberchair to rethink cutting methodology.

[@tomriblett2979]

really glad your covering a lot of the small details that most do not cover. Dead trees can hurt you.

[@Agu571n]

I would love to see you reviewing some videos of tree cutting fails, and explaining why it happened / how it could have been avoided.

[@bruceknowlton8691]

Looks like you had your film crew with you that will make it safer and easier .thanks for taking me along

[@MikeZMonroe]

Many other KZbinr tree trimming videos would make multiple vids on their power vehicles picking up the cut limbs. Congrats to you for actually picking up / scooting the limbs by hand.

[@ArmchairDeity]

5:48 - OMG DID YOU SEE THE SIZE OF HIS JOHNSON! Man… it was LONG, and looked like it was made of Stihl…

[@gbentley8176]

Excellent video. Good aerial shots. Got hit by a U shaped branch knocked from another tree on fall. I was about 50 ft behind the main tree and hiding behind a big pine for extra safety as the fall was slow in a tight wooded area it should have been enough.The U shape acted like a boomerang as it hit the ground and it sent me flying, swiping my leg. Still have a limp 30 years on and the tree which lost the branch is still standing! Just shows you can never be too careful, thankfully my only accident in 70 years. Best wishes from the UK.

[@drumking570]

As much as I get annoyed by ads, I’m really glad to see your channel get to the point of being sponsored. I’ve really enjoyed the content you put out and I hope it continues to be successful for you!

[@F0NZY1]

Dudes actually a fantastic teacher, I get stressed trying to teach my coworkers some of this stuff. Bob ross of tree cutting, wizard of saws and such

[@krz8888888]

Those dead tree top branches are killers, good job on that first tree

[@drewwagner7985]

I don't know about the rest of you but I was on the edge of my seat with each tree. I hate dead trees. John, something to consider, I use a smart plug on my tractor's block heater. I just switch it on with my phone from the comfort of my house, truck, bath tub, crawlspace, basically anywhere with a signal before I am ready to use it. Cheers

[@billbergquist4722]

I usually hook on a cable and shake the tree first to dislodge branches then cut part way through and pull it over.

[@lindacook891]

Sir, I have watched your videos for a year now, your practical approach to problems,the way you diagram to explain ( the show and tell how the chains worked on the man reach was priceless) makes each video a must watch. I recently purchased a few acres of land in country with the plan of building a nice size shop soon. I have owned a chain saw all my 63 years of life, mainly to cut limbs and small trees. I had to remove a dead two trunk pine tree that could fall on my future shop,by far the biggest tree ever for me to cut. The trunk spilt about 6 feet up. I spent the night before watching your tree removal videos very carefully and the next day I lifted the tractor bucket a couple of feet and started to cut the first trunk, it was an ugly cut but it fell exactly where I wanted, next trunk was much better, it too fell perfectly, broken hinges and all. Thank you for the knowledge you deal out each week.

[@Fireball9394]

I would like to see someone on KZbin make a long sleeve “T” with the logo down the sleeve! I have requested several time too different KZbin channels and of course being a small bird on this big planet always get ignored!! Much appreciated to see what you come up with!! THANKS Mike!!!

[@muchmuchmore]

I had a leaner much like this. I made multiple cuts just like you described and got the remainder stood up vertical. When I went to push the tree over, a chunk broke off the top and hit my back just below my neck. I was wearing a hard hat and was lucky to get just a big bruise. I was in the woods, alone which was a really poor idea. It's easy to forget that dead or damaged trees are extra dangerous and unpredictable. Stay safe out there!

[@HylanderSB]

Definitely would like a shirt with 'That's not going anywhere'. Needs a good visual though.

[@stevenhenderson2989]

Had a dead tree almost take me when I was 17. 50 now. Limb fell out of the top and knocked me loopy. Then tree fell, skipped off my head and back, ended up taking a knee with the tree on my leg. Thank goodness dad was there. It was that even rude that got me watching your channel. Keep up the good work.

[@jackpitts5561]

So what did you do after learning the hard way? On how to protect yourself from dead branches falling on you? At very least it seems like a good time to use a much more silent two man saw to take down a dangerous widowmaker.

[@chrisoakey9841]

You can always run a drill, or a plunge cut in to find out the condition of the tree prior to dropping if you are unsure.

[@scottvolage1752]

A Tee shirt with "Shut your Grass Hole" sounds like a good idea.

[@aerialrescuesolutions3277]

I love the 4 different camera angles you show of the tree as it falls, excellent editing.

[@johnsumner2987]

You know you're good when you make it look easy.

[@matthewcrist1012]

Hilarious at the end - as Jeremy Clarkson would say, "I'M A HUMAN TRIPOD!" Great video about the deadwood. I have several dead trees I need to get rid of and a couple widowmakers. I'm not happy about them, but I'm going to get them down soon!

[@buildingsalvage]

Yesss can’t wait for the merch Edit: would love a embroidered hoodie if possible. Even at a premium price. I find they hold up much much longer! 🙏🏼

[@everythinginfullspectrum8625]

You should get a heavy duty winch , and drag them out of the woods. Also good to have when you are cutting trees that are leaning the wrong way. Thank you for another great video! 👍

[@ejtakach]

Truly a Renaissance man!

[@jaakkoiswatching6437]

That MEOW by the falling tree surprised me.

[@lifeoftreedom]

Epic video. The drone shots and the replay of the falling and subsequent unexpected behaviours are excellent. Love your work.

[@bobwebber8521]

Thank you for a down to earth video. Your post production deserves a medal. Very watchable.

[@JosVerbeek]

It never ceases to amaze me what you're able to pull of and I guess you are a pretty stubborn guy, so it says something about the dangers that you have someone watching whilst felling a dead tree.

[@northlooper]

We love your videos, John!! Thanks for showing the plunge cut technique on that dead tree! It is fun watching your videos and a great learning experience at the same time! Thanks a lot for that!

[@brandonking2826]

Another awesome video on the books! Excellent cuts well done!! It's better than I could do. I have to mention this that I thought long and hard before writing. Farmcraft, you have an influential attitude that reaches people deeply. I think this is a talent that is rare, and it brings me back to memories of great shop teacher mentors. There is a problem in this country, and that is Trade Skills! I wish you had a million suspscribers that reached our generation below that with your talent would encourage those to pursue.

[@jana171]

Excellent Blooper, and good instructional video on how to deal with dead trees. This is exactly why I'm here and loving it, so thank you for another great video !

[@GoaEnjoyer]

Why didn't you use the boom lift on that first tree?

[@ChatterontheWire]

The shirt and the blooper outtake go hand in hand, best part it was your wife laughing about it and not you!

[@AceRph]

No waiting for the firewood to dry is nice. Splitting dried oak, not so much. Always enjoy your videos, Jon.

[@FishFind3000]

Yep, best firewood I ever had was dead standing ash. No clue how long it was dead but it burned like nothing I ever had before.

[@charlessoule8587]

Excellent all angle videos of the trees falling!

[@Enigma-Sapiens]

Great video, thanks for the tips and tricks! Your teaching helps thousands of people, thanks for that too! Anytime you have the wife helping you and you can make her laugh, that's always a plus! Happy wife, happy life!

[@shadowbrookmedia]

Excellent tutorial, andtimely reminder about dealing with dead tress - tnx!

[@T3hderk87]

The cow interactions are pretty funny, and excellent video! Always enjoy these for my lunch breaks.

[@joeanonemouse]

7:50 Cows are wondering WTF was that??? 🤣🤣 That was a very informative dead wood video. Loved the blooper at the end. Great video. Thank you John. 👍

[@FunoXXX]

hahaha loved the blooper xD - Great work as always

[@jamesnebraska7770]

I love the different views. Excellent job on the camera. An excellent cutdowns my man!!!!

[@TokyoCraftsman]

I’ve cut lots of dead trees for firewood on crown land back in the day, yes they are to be treated differently than live trees. Cheers from Tokyo!

[@DconBlueZ]

Thanks for the video, always enjoy watching!

[@thomaslegendar-e4152]

I love how you showed your respect to the tree by huggimg it... 🌴❤️

[@davidbarnes5953]

Good work well done, did you think about making a log hauler, pulled behind your ATV using two axels? It would make a good video.

[@sandymatharu8556]

Your videos and tutorials are exceptional! Thanks for taking the time to make these. Very informative and learning a lot regarding felling and saw safety. Thank you.

[@carlhulien200]

Great job Eva! Your Dad is blessed to have such a wonderful daughter.

[@sjv6598]

John is a jack of all trades and a master of all 🙂

[@javig5045]

You always make me crack-up...the cows wondering, thanks for the laugh's

[@StrangerInAStrange]

Nice job with the multiple camera angles of the felling. Thanks for posting this. The cowmentary was hillarious!

[@erikowren7894]

I love you have the cows talking. I vote for more banter.

[@FarmCraft101]

Shut yer grasshole! ;-)

[@jameshedrick605]

Love the way you explain how your going to do the cut. I've cut down a few dead trees and you can never really tell which way they will fall

[@bronzearmy2645]

I love this channel for the practicality of everything. That being said - the dangerous part of a dead tree is that the limbs have the high ground; if I had a telehandler, I think I would have taken the high ground.

[@tfitz44]

Well done! That first tree went down perfect. I have about 15 acres here in West Virginia, been here six years now, and I’m still learning how about felling trees. One thing I had to keep telling myself was not to be timid. Nervous, yes. But like you said, always keep looking up and being aware of your surroundings when you’re cutting. However, since we had a terrible storm last July, I have a bunch of trees that were blown over and a lot of them are all hung up and tangled with each other. I’ve been hesitant to get them down, but seeing videos like this helps boost my confidence. Oh and I’m using an Echo CS-590 with a 24” bar.

[@mwnciboo]

Maybe not Nervous more "Respectfully cautious" - I actually think that is what you meant and you like said nervous as first thing that came to mind. Chainsaws are like Firearms, nervousness is dangerous but a healthy respect for the lethality of the activity is always wise.

[@tfitz44]

@@mwnciboo I was talking more about what the trees would do, when talking about being nervous, not that chainsaw itself. I’m not nervous using my saw, my skills with my saw are really good. But felling trees when you’ve never done it before is a little nerve racking.

[@Krunch2020]

Never point a chainsaw at a tree unless you intend to pull the trigger.

[@sbhjackson5931]

Good luck, I am heading out today after a storm did the same to a couple of trees in my field. I have the CS590 with a 27 in bar for the bigger trees and a 24 bar for it also it originally came with a 20 in bar. I use my Sthil 20 in for most of the work but my 2 echos (have a 25-year-old 16in echo) are great saws. I have been taking trees down for just a year and still learning. These trees today have a lot of pressure on them the way they fell and are tangled so there will be plenty of caution on my part.

[@judithetaylor5560]

😄😄@@Krunch2020

[@Vampier]

Wood/Johnsons and chain saws - the perfect combination for a blooper outtake :D

[@ffrob2001]

Your videos I don't mind the Ads at all. You give so much great information it makes me glad to see you are getting sponsorships.

[@VaJamie]

Did not realize you were in Virginia. Beautiful country around the Dillwyn area. Great video as usual.

[@RobertJl9516]

Thank you for the well made video and the safety precautions. I have an elderly neighbor with a dead pine that I am going to cut. I have all the equipment and a fair amount of experience. I did look up your video to remind myself of the proper technique and safety. Your video was excellent for that. Appreciated what you do.

[@claytonshilling240]

I posted on a video you did years back. I’m getting into tree work. We have been on a job for past 3 weeks. Your videos have taught me a lot. I did mess up and got to comfortable two days ago and I was cutting a small tree and the tree beside the tree I was cutting had broken branches hanging at the top. Not sure how but after the tree I cut fell one of those branches came down hit me in the head and put me to the ground. Luckily I walked away with nothing more than a headache and a knot on my head. I’ll definitely be sure to wear my hard hat at all times now. Not just when I think I need it. Also to check trees around me first before I cut down the tree I’m cutting on.

[@wryanddry2266]

Great production values together with subject-matter expertise and skill.

[@lilrockfromga5092]

Good video as also. I enjoy watching, always learning something new.

[@tehpanda64]

The camera operator has some interesting videography choices; showing us the behind the scenes gopro screen while it records the tractor haha. All in all though a great job, nice to get the extra angles compared to just a tripod 👍

[@wonderfultigger6620]

sponsor if you gotta, your content has gotten better and better over the years

[@douglasknutsen]

Good work John and of course a great video !

[@CorDawgYT]

I was entertained watching you cut down trees. Thanks for sharing!

[@TexianPa]

Y’all at the end 🤣 sound like me and my wife. What a blessing that is. I wish I had literally any trees on my acreage to be able to use these techniques on. Although I did take down two trees on the in-laws property next door for some power lines that needed to come through. Your videos helped with that.

[@tracybowling1156]

You & your wife were made for each other. You both have the same sense of humor! 😂

[@2-STROKEFUN]

That trunk you peeled up with the tractor looks pretty nice. You could cut some slabs and make some small tables out of it if its still good wood.

[@danbentsen]

Several good views of different angles of tree falling .You are one of just a few U-Tubers from back east that puts a long enough Bar on your saw to cut all the way through tree from one side when felling tree. I think that is good, then you can give more time to keeping an eye on whats going on w/tree top when making felling cuts. Good watch. Looks like you take good care of your equipment. With your repair videos you know how hard it is to repair and keep in running order other equipment people get rid of they dont take the time for for maintanice. thanks for vid

[@littlegrabbiZZ9PZA]

Man, I hate dead trees. The only time I had fun clearing them was at a military training area. Wrap det cord or boom tape around the tree at ground level (amount depends on the tree), put a third to two thirds of a brick of plastic at knee level on the side where you want the tree to fall, nail a filled sandbag over the brick, wire everything up with the plastic set 0.5 seconds after the lower charge, and click the thing. Det cord / boom tape cuts the tree, plastic kicks the bottom end out from under it. We did about 150 and wired them all together, it was the Instant Clearing. Stand *well* back. Wear ear protection.

[@nathanbaker9457]

As an arborist I have to give you credit man that was perfect. Unfortunately most homeowners don’t understand fully how to fell. But as soon as I saw the clogger zeros haha I knew you just be all set. Good job man keep it up.

[@StereoSpace]

Nice cut down. And what a beautiful piece of property.

[@StumpkillerCP]

Nicely done. We have dozens of dead standing ash trees on our 20 acres. Felling dead trees is always an adventure and reason to be doubly cautious. We can heat the house & water with either fuel oil or wood, and as much as I hate the emerald ash borer plague it has kept me busy felling and bucking.

[@pieteroosthuizen5535]

Well done love all the new Camara angles....well done

[@Juanroahanda]

Great video. I like my snag’s to be 15’ or under with my niece and nephew out in the woods. It’s been awhile since I’ve taken down a big snag with canopy, this videos a great refresher.

[@user-pe1zs2pn4n]

A great video! You are teaching us a lot. Keep up the great work!

[@cuoops]

I always look forward to seeing you have a new video in my list. Keep up the good work. lolol the ending.....

[@christophermedaris2804]

And i have to say the video work is fantastic great job

[@jonnewell3989]

Thank man; I have some huge dead eucalyptus trees to remove, it’s the dead branches above that give me sweats every time. This was very helpful.

[@Lucas12v]

Good call on the plunge cut. Professional logger friend taught me to do that a long time ago. He also told me that when you make your notch, do the angled cut first because it's easier to get a good intersection with the second cut being the horizontal one. The reason being that the first cut doesn't need to arrive at a precise location. Within reason. The second does however and is easier to aim a horizontal cut. You'll be less likely to need to adjust the notch and end up cutting too much.

[@94SexyStang]

I always do Horizontal cut first!! it gives me a guide of Where I need to bring the saw during a diagonal cut down. It's easy to get lost doing a Diagonal cut and take Too much, or Too little....if I got my straight cut already made, I know exactly where I'm bringing the cut! It's easy to eyeball it......I don't subscribe to the theory of following old timers, just because someone has been doing something for 30 years, doesn't mean it's Right, Lol. You gotta do what works for you, and how your Brain is wired.

[@lashlarue7924]

Angled cut always goes in first because it's less likely to pinch the bar if the tree sits down, and easier to extract with a wedge if it does pinch. The horizontal cut is less likely to get pinched after the angled cut has been made. If you make the horizontal cut first and the tree sits down in compression you may need another saw to extract it if you can't wedge it out.

[@user-tv5dt3nm9y]

Nice work, fellar. I have seen you put gravel down in the tracks of your driveway. Was your dual track driveway by design from the start?

[@branchmanager1100]

Nice job ! Safety is ALWAYS key !🤝🙏

[@Highstranger951]

It’s hilarious that Mrs. Farmcraft makes Johnson jokes… 😂 we need more of her on the channel

[@christophermedaris2804]

My grand dad cut a red oak down like that and turned the stump in to 4 fruit bowls for his girls kitchen tables thay were realy big my mom sold hers for 200 dollars just thinking about how to make a little cash from your stump love your videos great job and ty

[@007scarp]

Like to multiple camera angles and different perspectives of each job. Learning something new each video- especially your emphasis on safety. Thank you!

[@rw7594]

I've only cut three trees in the last few weeks. Got my first public land firewood cutting permit. I don't feel so bad cutting two of those notches too large. At least I figured out why. All were pretty straight. Learned lots about felling, limbing and bucking. Glad to have stumbled on this channel. My rookie resources were the Stihl manual then videos from some pros, farmers, and some idiots for what not to do. 😁

[@hime273]

Look fot the BC, British Columbia Fellers training vids. Also watch Bjarne Butler's video's. You won't find anybody better to learn from.

[@Azguella]

I think the worst are the ones that have look like they are fine wood but their core is actually rotten soft to the point when you cut it it drops down on your saw and don't let it out

[@craigduddles5650]

Appreciate the tree felling safety reminders. We should buy you a thumb for your backhoe... easy to pick up logs that way. I like lifting logs to cut the logs into firewood chunks with backhoe. Much easier than moving any other way.

[@trevoremerling7972]

definitely, subscribing! i always learn something watching these videos of yours. and theyre fun to watch :) thank you for continuing to make videos

[@diggingdave3868]

Great video, John..👍 Loved the cow captions..( shut your grass hole ..😂😂)...gave me a nice chuckle with my morning coffee...😊

[@stephenasbridge878]

Whoa. That tree was on the way to becoming a real “widow-maker”. Good work.

[@henrikhavelindberg3268]

Great video! Absolutely beautifully done. Best of luck with the merch shop! 👍 :)

[@mrxmry3264]

19:45 so much for that fence.

[@mwnciboo]

7:00 that was well executed, and the sobering points you made were reinforced by the two big limbs / widowmakers landing on the road as the main body came down.

[@carlosg1165]

Awesome work keep them coming

[@Mountaintoptractor]

Nicely done, I did similiar yesterday on my video. I had to snatch block mine up a long pull to get it to the wood pile, too steep to buck on the spot it came down it. Mine was a Doug fur so very tall and not allot of diameter to work with, good explanation of what your doing.