Why an angled back cut is dangerous and unecessary when hinge cutting a tree

[@curbappeal3397]

I have successfully felled two trees of around 20-30 feet tall, with angled back cuts and another person on the rope. I feel extremely lucky that neither of them fell the wrong way, and that I’ve learned better before I do another one. Thanks.

[@thechronicgeneralist]

Completely agree with the explanation. As for the number of cuts, it's probably worse because you're using a cross cutting hand saw but you're right about the extra distance to cut

[@ScottWConvid19]

I've been cutting the wrong way for years. It wasn't until I came across a couple of 2' cherry trees (one hanging into the other) that I thought to capitalize on some safety info on KZbin. I'm glad I did, because now I'm relearning some basic methods that ate nor common sense until they're taught. Thank you for posting this video. It's mere physics and gravity. Simple.

[@davej7458]

Extremely interesting. Not a cut I would ever use, and now I know exactly why I shouldn't. Thank you.

[@HavokTheorem]

Thank you for this video. I just got my first petrol chainsaw and got to the point where I was considering whether it was worth angling the backcut in order to induce a slide away from the cut. I was correct in that assumption, but thanks to this video it has become apparent that the side effect is the tree falling backwards because that sliding moment is at the bottom of the tree!

[@gregjohnson5194]

Thank you very much, no angled back cuts. You saved me some grief. Thanks

[@jeremyweeda7199]

Thank you for this video. It was good for me to see this. I did have a small tree fall the wrong way the other day. It is good to know this so that future, larger trees I fell will fall in a safe direction.

[@generic5191]

Thank you sir for the informative info. I had 3 large 40 foot maples. I was going to angle cut, instead I decided to try it your way. (btw this was my first attempt to cut a tree). It was so simple and bulls eye precise. Did it this morning and all tress down within 1 hour.

[@TCSawmills]

Great instructional video, I hope beginning tree cutters will listen to your advice. Years ago when I was in college, I would put a back cut in like you were explaining. I have since learned the proper way to cut a tree. Thanks again.

[@Ringof117A]

I have done the angled cuts a time or two, but it was on small trees, was trying to figure out with a friend, why it was bad to do on big trees and why everyone went to the horizontal cut, you explained well, thanks

[@magnum8264]

Thank you for informing people exactly why this is wrong and dangerous to do and how to do it the right way!

[@PanteraDeNoche]

Newbie here and I'd been doing it wrong for a while. Learning what the "hinge" is was a huge eye opener for me on why doing it was wrong. I can't remember the video where I learned that though. This is a good demonstration on it too.

[@chrishagerty5467]

ive been taught and have been cutting trees the wrong way a long long time it appears. everything you just said makes perfect sense and i will be changing my practice from now on thank you

[@markschiavone8003]

chris hagerty , what about the barber chair...it looks like every tree he cut with this method resulted in the very dangerous barberchair.

[@ScottWConvid19]

mark schiavone look up how to prevent them. The angle cut is not a safe practice

[@mongjedi244]

Check out the 5 step felling plan for a nice informative short video. I'm affiliated in zero way shape or form

[@0101-s7v]

I don't understand. Why would you use an angled cut on such a tiny tree anyway? Angled cuts are for large trees that could pinch the blade and trap your saw.

[@Jacob_180]

Apparently what he is doing is creating habitat for deer. He knocks the tree over but leaves enough attached so it remains alive. It's not something I'm all that familiar with though. As for angled back cuts on larger trees though, no you don't want to do it there either. I would say the larger the tree the more important this is. The weight of the stem on that sloped cut (as the video shows) can cause it to slide off and do all kinds of unpredictable things. If you're worried (even if you aren't actually - you never know when a slight gust of wind might push the tree back or you might just misread the lean or CG of the tree) about a larger tree setting back and pinching your bar you should have a wedge seated as soon as you have room for it. Then if the tree does sit on your bar you can still wedge it over.

[@77sierra1]

Awesome video! Instead of just telling people it's dangerous and wrong you gave the actual details to why. Again awesome video

[@alecmclean9178]

I am a professional climber. I can take down any tree anywhere in the world. I'm here back you up 100% you are absolutely correct. Anyone who picks up a saw and plays with small trees will learn quick. safe felling fellas -alec the amazing arborist

[@ExtremeDeerHabitat]

Thanks Alec. Always nice to here from a pro.

[@obtrees6450]

I am also a professional and there is only one good reason for an angled back cut and that is to avoid metal of stone but you have to be sure not to compromise the hinge, so for amateurs stay safe and comfortable you know if you are pushing the boundaries....

[@timobrien2738]

I was taught never ever to cut a back cut angled but couldn’t explain to my buddies why not. Now I can.

[@richszweda6691]

Ditto the previous comment about checking limb weight and lean. If it so happens that the tree is plumb straight vertically and there are more limbs on one side of the tree than the other gravity is going to pull the tree to fall in that direction, possibly regardless of the hinge direction.

[@richardhaen]

Very good, I have did the angle cut for years, I c now that I was wrong will change the way I fell trees. Been doing it for 60 + years, who says can't teach a old dog new tricks. Thanks

[@harrypehkonen]

Excellent demonstrations! Makes perfect sense! It's easier to learn and remember if you know the "why".

[@consitutionalconservative6624]

I grew up cutting wood, in Oregon. I have never seen anybody cut a tree down like shown on here. the last two trees dropped are great examples of how a barber chair is formed. We always did a face cut to build the hinge, the back cut would be level. this puts the fulcrum in the middle of the stump, preventing kick-back & barber chairs from forming. the idea is to get it to break clean and have the butt of the tree to follow the top down. I'm talking about trees 3ft in diameter or larger tho....

[@dougswett8709]

CONSITUTIONAL Conservative granny porn

[@ryankc3631]

That is exactly what the video advocates.

[@mtadams2009]

I believe he was only showing the back cut, I think he confused some with the way he explained it.

[@frugallandlord6974]

He is only demonstrating the back cut in this video I don’t think he is recommending to fell trees without a face cut, great information, I have to admit when I first started felling dead trees for firewood, I made back cuts angled, I also used to cut clean through the hinge, but I was just a kid, and most of the lodge pole pine I cut were as straight as a pool cue, I never had a problem.

[@firudu]

im currently in training to become a landscaper here in germany (so excuse any wrongly used terminology) and the "new" felling method is apparently to use the chainsaw to make a stabbing cut in the tree, which leaves an "intact" piece of wood at the opposite side of the directional cut. it prevents the tree from falling forwards or backward, and leaves you time to use wedges, and allows you to make the last cut in a standing position, that way your chainsaw never gets stuck in a tree

[@wizardsuth]

That's called a plunge cut. It's usually not needed, but it is useful for trees that lean or are prone to splitting vertically.

[@sofjanmustopoh7232]

Thank you so much . All these piles of advice and tutorial i got from handyman, jobber and old timer . many of them are wrong. My Husqvarna guide said exactly what you said in the video. but all the other oldtimer and mr know it all would not take the advice from the Pro and the chainsaw company. But I AM . thank to your video

[@AlergicToSnow]

Agreed. I learned from a guy who could, and regularly did, drop a tree wherever he wanted. I saw him drop a tree in a space so small nobody else wanted to try but he had no hesitation going for it.

[@domt6973]

Angled cuts are used on a tree that is angled forwards. The wedge is cut out of the directional side, you bore through the tree an inch behind the gob to release the forces in the tree then make a severing angled cut to join the rear felling cut to the bore. This prevents barber chairing by the tree and allows for a safe felling of a forward leaning tree. It’s referred to in the uk as a dog tooth cut.

[@not88me]

I knew the angled back cut was dangerous, but you gave some good examples of just how dangerous and why. Nice video, thanks for posting.

[@benwaddington2186]

Superb descriptive analysis. Totally makes sense after that, when it did not necessarily before.

[@1bottlefed]

If you look you will see that a major factor in the break when using an angle cut is that as the cut closes the wood in compression/contact is just the very small portion of the outer section of the lower tree, this portion of wood is pushed outward (due to the angle of contact)...you can see this when you look at how the tree split downward/outward. Conversely on a flat cut even though the outside will still contact first the thrust on the wood is totally downward and actually slightly inward, so the likelihood of any splitting is minimal.

[@retiredarthritic2083]

Interesting fact every tree cut at the end of the video barber chaired this is an indication that the tree was out of control when it fell. Speed is never a good substitute for safety. Hand felling is also a dying art as feller bunchers are much faster and safer than hand felling. Now before anyone decides to comment I was a feller in BC both in the interior and on the coast.

[@jimmyt5241]

Thanks for this .I have a leaner over a home tommorow .I may apply this method to pull the tree over away from home halfway up the tree .ty

[@corax2012]

Never seen anyone dim enough to cut a tree like that. :) I look at the natural tendency and other dynamics when planning felling a tree with minimal equipment. I have used winches to help in awkward situations ... no skinny rope ... big winch, truck tow straps. Folks don't realize how dang heavy trees really are. Another good tip ... take your time, and have planned escape routs ... and I mean drop your shit and run, because your life might depend on it. Trees and nature are unforgiving.

[@dalegreen7905]

I am 67 years old and while I may never use this knowledge I find it interesting and may have a conversation with someone to pass along what I have learned before they make a bad decision theirselves . Always share what you know !

[@jimthebutcher99]

But when the information is incorrect as this is I would not recommend it. Works great for a 4 inch tree. Don't try it on a 2 foot tree.

[@Firedog-ny3cq]

Sharing "wisdom" that you accept as truth from a source other than your own repeated experience is not "sharing what you know". To know something well, you have to have done it yourself many times in many different situations.

[@zandemen]

An informative video, I guess, but do not dare to call that "conventional cutting". Falling a tree without an undercut is even more dangerous and stupid than any mistake you make with undercutting or back cutting. Conventional, used properly in felling terminology, refers to an undercut which has the angled face of the undercut above the horizontal face, as opposed to a Humboldt, where the angled face of the undercut is below the horizontal face. What you describe as "conventional" is not an approved method of cutting anywhere by anyone, and has led to the deaths of many many wood workers. Just have a look at youtube tree falling fails, more than half the fails are caused by not having an undercut, even in small limbs or trees. Also, "hinged" also refers to the use of an undercut, a back cut or felling cut, and leaving holding wood between the two which is a hinge. Your felling seems to be a very specialized case only for small trees which can be man handled, it is not suitable for anything larger than what you can manually push or pull over. Even a 6" diameter tree will be out of control with the methods you are using, not just your "wrong" angled single planed cut, but also your "conventional" but equally wrong horizontal single planed cut, which is not actually hinged at all, since what you refer to as a hinge barber chairs, splits off or otherwise is removed from the tree and does not control the direction of fall of the tree. The problem is amateurs are getting advice from you on youtube, and you can see in the comments they are mistaking your advice for general use, not a very specific case of creating deer habitat with tiny trees you could pull over without even cutting. Where I'm from you would call that "stump jumping" or "cutting without an undercut", or even something like "rookie suicide cutting method." Professionals commenting on the video I think did not watch it through it's entirety, since it's only apparent in the last three seconds what your recommended "conventional" cutting method is. You might think I'm triggered or something, but think about it, someone taking your advice can put their lives at risk, because you have not adequately explained the limitations and specific nature of the advice you're giving, except int he comments.

[@allhopeabandon7831]

I agree whole heartedly with you. I thought his point was to correctly show how a slanted back-cut breaks backwards because of the lever/fulcrum effect vs. a horizontal/ horizontal plane back-cut and merely left out the notch due to the small diameter of the tree and was simulating the hinge of the notch with the un-cut opposite side. I was a tad confused at the close of the video to see him drop several small maples in a way that would get anyone working for me a well-deserved earful the first time and a thanks for your help, good-bye the second. In his defense, he did explain why he was doing what he was doing, and more than likely has done it many times before. BUT, you are absolutely correct to point out that he should explain that before someone without an inherent sense of right and wrong methodology does the same with something over 5 in. in diameter and kills themselves or someone else or destroys property.

[@markschiavone8003]

Macks Power I'd be very concerned about the barber chair. this method resulted in every tree he cut

[@stihl_joking570]

Macks Power absolutely I'm a climber for sweetwater tree service and yeah!! No freaking way would I EVER FALL A TREE LIKE THAT!!!ESPECIALLY IN THE TREE BARBER CHAIR!!!! Not to mention you couldn't steer the tree like that

[@exercisemyrights]

quite simply..guy dnt know wtf hes talkin about..guess hes got 200k views though

[@ExtremeDeerHabitat]

Guys everything you say is correct. You would never, ever use the techniques illustrated in the tree falling at the end of the video on a logging or tree removal job site, and it would break OSHA regulations to do so. What you may not realize is that there are massive numbers of people doing it for habitat purposes. It is called hinge cutting (not to be confused with a conventional hinge which lies between the face cut and back cut). The technique is hundreds of years old and involves keeping the tree alive for the purposes of providing improved habitat, especially, in recent years, for deer. There is no reason whatsoever to do such things on any of your job sites, ever. But, thousands of people around the country are doing it. And nothing you or I say or do is going to stop them. It is in and of itself inherently more dangerous than conventional cutting. But many of these habitat enthusiasts are adding additional risks like, in the case of the subject of this video, doing downward angled back cuts, which takes an unsafe practice and multiplies the risks., My effort is to get them, if they are going to do it anyway, to do it in the safest way possible. I appreciate all your feedback and it all applies to anyone and everyone felling a tree for the purposes of logging,, tree removal, and cutting firewood, but does not apply to hinge cutting for deer habitat.

[@teasouth_SC]

The best to the point vid on this subject I've seen yet, thank you.

[@wgrangerjr1]

A few years back, I helped a friend drop some large pines around his house. We used an angle cut on the first one. It hit the house. Lesson learned the hard way!Luckily, it missed hitting his solarium kitchen by about 5 feet.

[@seanhammer6296]

I'm into Egyptology and ancient religions and philosophy. I have no idea why this was in my feed but it was fun to watch and not have to argue about.☺👍

[@mightyconker3903]

You would likely be interested in how the Egyptians used geopolymer for the pyramid facing.

[@seanhammer6296]

@@mightyconker3903 Yes, the Egyptians having built the pyramids is definitely one theory. But they remain enigmatic and mysterious.

[@Firedog-ny3cq]

Aliens built the pyramids, ancient religions are the cause of every problem on Earth, and Emmanuel Kant is a jackass. There's your argument. Your move.

[@maddogstemple]

those last three cuts were beautiful

[@Firedog-ny3cq]

Beautifully incorrect and he was just showing off for the camera.

[@thechronicgeneralist]

The reason why it fails is because the cells have some strength vertically (which is how the hinge slowly degrades as the tree tilts because it rips), considerably more compression strength (which allows the tree to sit on itself as it topples over) but it has very little side shear strength (hence barber chairs). As you're exposing the weight of the tree on the back cut, it isn't able to leverage compression and the weight creates side-tension instead of leveraging compression). This causes horizontal stresses, which will cause tear to the hinge, and a chain reaction can occur resulting in a catastrophic failure of the hinge.

[@casselskeep]

This is exactly the question I wanted answered. Thanks.

[@michaeltowler2632]

I used to cut and manually load timber for a living for Limekilns and was under contract to supply 12 cord a day.I would cut as fast as I could between loads to keep 3 week ahead of my Truck so as it for the Timber get lighter to lift and in big thick Timber. My technique on Trees up to say a foot thick was a quick backhand cut for the notch and staying on the same side do the felling cut, on Trees bigger 10/15 Meters I would still not do a proper notch but a straight cut from the right and then get to the left for the felling cut. the only time I would do a proper notch was if it was a Tree in which was so thick and Tall I had to do Fan cuts or the Tree was straight and perfectly balanced and you had to time the felling cut to coincide with any wind gusts. I think the 3 most important things are getting good at seeing which is the way the Tree wants to fall, putting the notch cut in the right place and the last part of the felling cuts Hinge and when I say Hinge I mean the part where you spike into the Trunk with your Cutterbar/Chainsaw and is uncut and torn out as the tree falls, if done right you can make a Tree move out of its natural falling path as it is falling and go where you wanted it to go . I always did an undercut, however small the tree and were straight as permitted by how low I could cut without taking any time about it. ps. I never ever owned any wedges .

[@wizardsuth]

If you're concerned that the tree might slide backward off the stump, make the back cut *slightly* (e.g. 1 inch) higher than the notch. If you go too high you effectively make the hinge narrower and the tree will fall less predictably.

[@dwolfe2907]

I was jusssst about to get into that bad habit- but I'm fixing it today ,thank you so much for this information.

[@allThingsConsidered23]

What if you're pulling on a top leaning sassafras with a cable rope a third of the way up.... What kind of cut is best? (The top branches are hanging over the neighbors bushes.) I'm trying to pull it towards my property.

[@brianhanlon9602]

I"ve never heard of anyone cutting and angled back cut....

[@tomd3630]

This was great. I don't know if I'll be cutting down anymore trees on our property, but if I do, I'll review this first. Wish they'd had KZbin toots 30 years ago!

[@evanmorrow1234]

I sincerely believe this guy doesn't know what he is talking about and you would be well advised to disregard everything he has said

[@misters2837]

Funny that OSHA restricts it... A company that I once worked for clearing for road projects, wanted us to ONLY cut with angled back cuts... Probably fell a couple thousand trees and NEVER had ONE fall where didn't want it...

[@pramienjager2103]

Thanks for this. Simple to understand, and informative. It makes perfect, logical sense once you know. I've never fell a tree before, and I may never need to, but if ever I do I will do it correctly.

[@erikreally2241]

Thanks nice explanation...wish me luck on a curved tree branch

[@PumaTomten]

Been cutting down trees along the high voltage lines for a good while and the guys before me used the regular cutting techniques but they had many trees over the power lines, even with the help of wires etc. This is how I usually do, I do the angle very smal but at 60-70 degrees, 2 inches from the angle I push the saw straight through the tree from both sides then work my way a bit further back so it has two safety holds, I then start to cut and release a little bit on the back end and just hammer a wedge in and cuts of a bit more and then hammers the wedge and the tree will fall safely.

[@randy1ization]

2 inches from the top or bottom of the angle?

[@PumaTomten]

@@randy1ization depends, if we have a big tractor or harvester pushing a large tree you can with no problem cut under the angle cut that will prevent the tree possible bein pushed over so the hinge breaks but is very hard to adjust by taking it down manually with wedges or pulleys.

[@tombaker3000]

Anybody else notice when he yarded on the tree he pulled toward the angle cut? Of course it's going to snap at the angle cut first. It has leverage on the angle.

[@jackpine5919]

YES! A better example would be to show the 2 cuts on 2 different trees. The 90 degree cut just closed up.

[@Hp2G1]

Clear explanations, and good video. The example you show speak for itself. I wonder why so many thumbs down. Thanks for posting.

[@stevemiller6766]

Very good demonstration. Thank you!

[@davidm180]

Great video. More people need to be educated with chainsaws, and felling trees. What’s crazy is rental companies rent saws to people with zero operation knowledge.

[@backyardfirewood9852]

In my area angled back cuts are prevalent, even amongst people that have been cutting for decades... I've tried and tried to explain to people I know why this is not doing what they think... Unfortunately, I've had no success... Ironically, these same people think I'm crazy for doing horizontal back cuts, bore cuts, etc...

[@tribulation138]

Wtf. I never do angled back cut. But what your teaching I never seen b4 in my life. Face cut or wedge cut first. Then a back cut no more than inch higher then face cut. That's it.

[@randy1ization]

an inch higher than the bottom or top of the face cut?

[@evanmorrow1234]

You are correct in my book cuz that is exactly how I do it and I've cut 100's of trees down. No 2 trees are exactly the same and it can get a little sketchy cutting trees on a slope or 150' douglas firs that are dead can be sort of nerve wracking. I always have visions of a dead tree blowing out as I'm cutting on it 50' up and coming down completely wrong cuz you can never be sure how long the tree has been dead or how much rot is in it or where the rot is exactly. Seems to me that guy would be having a few of his trees barberchairing on his ass . I almost always wrap a chain around larger alder trees so they won't barberchair cuz they're famos for it.

[@mikepalmer4371]

texas tough The apex of the face cut

[@paulg444]

great video but what kind of fool cuts a hing cut, angled or straight almost all the way through the tree. The best way to be safe flat hinge and as many plastic and steel wedges as necessary to insure it falls in the right direction. .

[@andrebergeron7540]

Having cut literally tens of thousands of trees in my career. Taught logging in high school, college, and by the renown logger Soren Erickson, when he was teaching to professionals over 25 years ago. Pros go with the safest and fastest technique. There is no way that a downward cut works, PERIOD. If it did, that is the technique professionals would be using. When your paid by how much wood you produce, not by how long your out there, speed and effectiveness become your priority, and I could explain every reason why but I don't think you want to read several pages of explanation. You will never see a person claiming to be a professional cutting with a downward cut, they are not. Experience, technique, and physics are on my side.

[@zandemen]

Have a look at 5:20 at what he is calling conventional hinged cutting. Still impressed?

[@realanimal3602]

The cuts at 5:20 are discussed in comments. This is done on propose to allow the tree to live and feed wildlife. My father was a logger and fell a great many trees. Tens of thousands??? At the very least. His back cut always had a slight downward angle, maybe about 10 degrees. He could put any tree on the ground within a few inches of where he wanted it. He taught me and my brothers the same technique 35 plus years ago and it has never failed me.

[@obtrees6450]

We call that hedge laying in the uk, but i guess it makes sense to produce fodder at a grazing level

[@stupidhandles]

Macks Power that's not conventional hinge cutting is it! so your point is a moot one

[@markschiavone8003]

Andre Bergeron , it looks like every tree he cut using this method resulted in the very dangerous barberchair. isn't that dangerous?

[@Kcducttaper1]

I had a tree company take out a tree leaning over my house. It was a whopping 40"+ diameter trunk! The owner himself did an angled cut just like this and the stump fell right backwards onto my deck. Needless to say, I got a substantial discount!

[@JasonTate86]

You need to add in this video how to stop the barber chair effect on those trees at the end. Your method works great on small trees but someone who does not know could kill themselves with a bigger tree.

[@MattsRanger]

The contrary comments are awesome. Especially regarding OSHA. I wasn’t aware of them being backwards from what works here. They also don’t understand safety eyewear. If safety glasses don’t fit our faces properly or are not properly designed as sideshield issue, they are no better than plain eyeglasses at best. I have had more debris in my eyes from company approved eyewear than any other. Anyway I have some trimming or felling of Spruce-like trees (they are very old & have red sap) to tend to coming up for our yard coming up. 3 are in the lines just a bit.

[@bucknuts6762]

I take the time to study the tree i'm cutting, height, width, Limbs, does the tree lean more one way, is there a bow in it, windage watch your tree as it rocks in the wind most importantly clear a couple escape routes, angle cuts I used for years and at 70 i'm still above ground and still cutting trees on my property

[@Firedog-ny3cq]

Heartily agree with all of this. My son and I use a heavy-duty rope tied as high in the tree as we can get it and then use a winch attached to the base of a big tree, 20-30' farther than the height of the tree we are cutting (100-125' loblolly pines), to pull the tree exactly where we want it to land. I cut the notch, the tree is winched a little tighter, and then I back cut it as my son keeps winching it down. Those tall pines have a lot of bend in their trunks and the winch pulls them perfectly into place. We mill the trees into lumber, and the large branches and the tops become firewood. The sawdust from the milling goes into the woods; nothing is wasted. Work smart, work safe, trust what you know.

[@konstantinbodin9936]

You example is for sticks because you can do it withouth including wind expositure of terain and so on. Cut fist 2 cuts in direction you want to tree fall then cut from back with stump gap(breaking part), or do bore cut...

[@Cornerback80]

I am absolutely traumatized by an old supervisor of mine who used to "show me how to cut down trees" I would put my wedge in and he would come in and tell me to cut it an an angle from the back side.... while it has a hinge!...then it would fall backward. every.single.time. Now you can do an angle back cut IF you don't have a front wedge in AND the tree is leaning the right way. It saves a little time that way. STUDY THE TREE BEFORE CUTTING!

[@ejleonard]

Thank you - very much appreciate this advice as a beginner

[@rogerwatkins8557]

my second cousin was killed at 18 years old cutting trees, he was killed by a kick back to the head. his father my first cousin was and still is 15 years later still devastated , felling trees is not a job for amateurs

[@stevemiller6766]

Well - I have been cutting wrong for 30 years been far luckier than I deserve. I guess God does look out for fools and children. Thank you a very clear explanation of how to properly do this operation.

[@txelmore]

Not that I doubt an angled cut is unpredictable, but I’m curious if in the example you provided if the straight cut was on top things might have been different.

[@HogeN1337]

always always always train on smaller trees. when feel like you got it try a mediumsize.. if not fall as you wanted go back to smaller trees :)... becouse with smaller trees you always can see what you did wrong and dont hurt you as much.. and main rule. take time it should be fun being out in the woods. after few hours work siting on the logs haveing a coffee =)

[@Firedog-ny3cq]

With your sage advice, in short order, there would be no more woods to enjoy a coffee in. The felling dynamics are very different between a small-diameter tree and a 100-150 foot, 2-4' diameter monster. Feeling confident about taking down small trees and transferring that confidence to a much larger tree is a good way to get your name in the obits column of the local paper.

[@TimberPlanners]

thanks for this video. never felled a tree, but its certainly great to know, especially if I see someone doing it wrong

[@vainwretch]

There are times when between making the notch on the front cut and coming in to make a back cut . The tree will begin to fall toward the notched front cut. As it falls the hinge will pull toward the direction of the notch , tear loose and violently snap backwards toward the back cut. Many men have died from that slap back . Your example videos or OSHA do not negate this factual possibility. A rope that is not secured or held by a man is not enough . When I cut a tree a use a chain and a comealong to coerce the tree in the direction I want it to go on the notch side . I put pressure on it before I start the notch and as the notch is being cut. I also put a loop of chain above where I am cutting so if it does decide to splinter the chain will help it stay together. I make the back cut at an downward angle for the same reason . If it decides to kick back it will encounter the nub sticking up from the slanted cut. If you are cutting down a large tree and because of the wind and the weight of the limbs . You don't know exactly what it may decide to do . Especially if you cut a notch that leaves a hinge with a small percentage of the tree holding it. It always a best guess from experience what direction they tree may go. Put some chains on it.

[@vainwretch]

Also when I make the back cut it is not a 45degree cut. Maybe 22 to 30. To many times I have seen the wind or weight of the tree lock the saw on a back cut because it wants to go the opposite direction you have it notched for.

[@yorkshiresnumero2gardener244]

I think the confusion has occurred because you have included the deer habitat felling techniques at the end of the video- prob best if these were not on this video as it conflicts with your main point of felling a tree safely. However it is a good point you have made. I seem to remember in the UK in the early 1990's some instructional leaflets did recommend an angle back cut for certain leaning trees. I maybe only used technique once or twice but it was obviously bull sh!t on their part... JUST READ KEITH BURGESS LOWER DOWN. SEEMS ANGLE BACK CUT DOES HAVE IT'S USES. A can of worms...

[@lostinmyspace4910]

I've never cut a huge tree down before, but I now have a Spruc that has an airborne disease, that needs to come down. It's 16 inches on the stump. I always imagined cutting a hinge cut so as to direct the way I want it to fall. Now, I'm not so sure anymore. But how can I direct the exact angle I need it to fall then?

[@daledunmire9546]

Cut a notch

[@Firedog-ny3cq]

See. This video has this poor guy confused because nothing in it was clear or applicable to real trees (little saplings don't count).

[@online_screen_name]

This was really interesting. Thank you.

[@jamelynch4474]

great info , so many people have told me that bad way to cut .

[@chrisyu98]

If the tree trunk is at an angle do you still use horizontal cut?

[@drmodestoesq]

So these two Irish guys are walking down the street and they see a sign that says Wanted: Tree Fellers. So one says to the other, "Do you we think we should apply for the jobs?" The other guys says, "I don't think they'd want us...there's only two of us and the sign say they want tree fellers."

[@timhallas4275]

I'm not convinced. I really don't see any added danger with an angled back cut, as long as the tree is leaning in the right direction or is being properly pulled in the right direction. Either cutting method allows the use of wedges to force the tree in the desired direction, and I personally find a 45 degree back cut to be more comfortable and less prone to grabbing my saw at the hinge point.

[@ironpatriot7842]

What about felling a tree the opposite direction it tends to lean. The weight pitches the chain bar and your stuck and the tree doesn't fall.

[@darrenmiller3333]

I only use an angled cut on ascending limbs if i want them to drop straight down through the canopy (spear cut) seems crazy to fell the main stem (trunk) that way

[@johns3106]

I've worked for a tree service for 20+ years and my co-workers and I always laugh at "homeowner" cuts. They are almost always an angled back cut, and the result is often a disaster (or near disaster) that we have to come in and clear up. My theory on the angled back cut is that inexperienced folks with a chainsaw in their hand know that an angled cut is somehow involved in getting a tree to fall, but not knowing anything about undercuts (which of course use an angled cut) they assume you only need to make one cut, and that cut should be angled to let the tree "slide" off the stump. It has been my experience that it only takes one of these uncontrollable drops to scare the Bejesus out of the homeowner, and that's when they call in the pros.

[@waynerobinson2301]

I used a very steep back cut on a ridge on large white oak when 90 % of weight was on other side if ridge . After my back cut , iset down and lite a cigarette . After what seemed like five minutes the tree quivered and fell exactly where i needed it . The hinge wood broke exactly as it should have . My friend a jack pine savage was yelling and finding fault and actually started up the hillside damn near got in the way . He was sure my back cut was way to high but no . This of course should not be done without a good reason and without accepting responsibility for your own actions .

[@gasaxe6056]

Do one on how to cut hollowed trunk trees. Barber chairs waiting to happen.

[@5153flash]

I would like to see this applied to a dead tree. I cut allot of standing dead ash trees and do angled back cuts. Does same rule apply to dead trees? I have never had a tree fall the wrong way so I really dont know?

[@garrisonaw]

Ash trees tend to grow fairly straight, so there's not as much problem with leaning. However, you should still use proper technique regardless of what kind of tree you're felling.

[@Firedog-ny3cq]

Yeah, you do. You just told us the trees fall where you want them to.

[@connorlowis4774]

Can you use this to your advantage and cut the opposite way you want the tree to go?

[@wizardsuth]

No, because the tree tends to slide off its trunk and fall unpredictably.

[@connorowens2571]

Its 4am why am I watching how to cut a tree

[@TheMrkylester101]

Connor Owens ikr

[@justinpopelka1148]

because you're interested

[@retiredarthritic2083]

because your bored.

[@user_0231-j]

ikr same at 2 am and I dont even cut trees lol

[@skie6282]

Its been 1 year you must have used this info by now

[@nancykeslar7656]

You should show how to notch a large tree when cutting it down-gary keslar

[@not2tees]

Is the case that a huge tree will require a different approach, or would cutting straight across be the best way for any size of tree?

[@robertlangley258]

Very good information sir. You’ve probably just saved oodles of “tree-feller wannabes” from destroying their homes and autos, not to mention turning their neighbors against them forever. May have even saved a few folk from themselves.

[@benth162]

Both my brother and I used to heat our homes in Oregon with wood stoves, and we'd go out with our families to the place the BLM said was the current designated cutting area for fire wood. You boys cutting down little saplings to try and make your point is a wrong i so many ways. There is a lot more to cutting down a large tree with limbs spread out all over the place than a straight up sapling. You have to look at how the limbs weight the trunk one way or the other, what other tree limbs my interact with the one you are cutting down, sometimes causing your tree to twist sending it where you didn't want it to go. The cuts themselves should be determined by how the tree is weighted verses where you want it to land. Sometimes you cannot force it to go against its weighted direction without careful consideration of exactly how and where you place your cuts. At that, a straight across cut is not always the best cut depending on the shape of the tree. If you ever do another tree cutting video don't use saplings to show what you mean because it is misleading. Go to a tree that has a one side weighted issue and then explain all those variables and how they work to get the tree to land where you want it.

[@megenberg8]

first must check the limb weight and lean on the tree. the wind might be a factor too.

[@lewisyost6212]

Seems to me in order to have complete control on a tree when cutting it down a flat cut wont do. I've cut hundreds down using my technique and it has never failed. And I dont use a flat cut to do it

[@allenantonioheyllatorre5720]

Yeah, the one in his example he has the angle cut above the flat cut on a thinner part of the tree. The tree is obvisouly gonna break there. He also has a crazy 45 or more degree cut. It also doesnt represnt tree felling because he has no wedgecuts. On the wear he is right angle cuts do require more work. I do a slight angle like 20 degree back cuts easy 100 trees cut. From 2" to 48" trees. The perfect horizontal is easy to.mess up vs a slight angle. The slight angle also allows you to twist the tree while it falls.

[@rustylewark5494]

I have a tree 16in that split during irma here in Melbourne Fl its leaning towards my house a straight cut and it will fall in my bedroom

[@scnomad3626]

Rusty Lewark that’s about as pertinent as toilet paper

[@jimsteele7108]

Jeff Jepsen knows his stuff and is a great guy.

[@Zlinky111]

Great demo. 👍😁

[@Rimrox79]

These baffling type of cuts have shown up in western Pennsylvania in the last 5 years or so. A quick glance at a stump cut in this manner suggests an efficient directional, felling, until the science and video proof proves otherwise. Bottom line-there are multiple reasons that this is one of the most dangerous jobs in existence. Learn to do it right or don't do it at all.

[@jackrabbit5047]

I guess I've been doing it wrong for years. Thanks for posting.

[@f87115]

Holy shhhh I’ve been doing this wrong and dangerous … amazing we are all still alive

[@I_am_Diogenes]

Worked good on a 4" tree , now instead of imagining it is a 12" tree I want to see you try this on a bigger tree . If you cut a horizontal cut that deep into a tree that size there is NO WAY you will not bind up your saw . Am I wrong , maybe but not in my experience . I have gotten more saws stuck than I care to admit doing exactly what you suggest . If anyone tries this I suggest a couple wedges are on hand so you can get your saw back .

[@Saw_Squatch]

So now what about a spear cut? Also what about snap cuts?

[@GetRichBuyGuns]

The issue with those cuts has more to do with the size of the face cuts, and the cuttinf of the backcuts to deep. The angle should be flat, but the reason is not only due to the angles back cut. Most of those would have been lost either way, because the "faller" cut through the hinge. *wildland faller/tree service owner.

[@daddyrabbit835]

00:28 That is a great book. I own it and read it often.