Cutting Trees with a Chainsaw

[Shuque]

Any lumberjacks in the Mayberry?

I'm going to be cutting down trees on my property this summer and I've been doing some research.

The wife wants to hire professionals as the trees are near houses (ours and the neighbor's) and fences, but my cheap gene is making me want to do it myself.

So far, the best information I've found is this video. This farmer sounds like he moonlights as an engineering university professor.

[YT]Wj1d85CLDOQ[/YT]

 

[Car]

thats murder, i hope it falls on you

 

[Shuque]

thats murder, i hope it falls on you

You should see what I do to it once it's down (insert evil laugh and cough).

 

[Mr Gorgeous]

Making room for your swimming pool and patio?

 

[Shuque]

Making room for your swimming pool and patio?

Mostly want to get rid of trees that are soon going to be a hazard as they are tall and getting old.

 

[Flap]

I have some trees in my backyard you can cut down.

 

[Scrody]

Be careful. I'm sure there's more than enough videos to show you proper techniques, but if you feel your not up to it, don't do it.

 

[Det Kimble]

as the trees are near houses (ours and the neighbor's) and fences

Sounds like a bad idea.

 

[Sweet_Leaf]

In 5 months TS is gonna start a thread

"so I crushed my house... But got an iPad!"

 

[Breakage]

On behalf of everyone, please record the process.

 

[Merlotte's]

I worked for a tree removal service. Didn't know what I was doing half the time, but nothing bad ever happened. The boss would often have smoke sessions before our shift started.

 

[Omegaboy13]

Do yourself a huuuuuuge favor and hire a professional, or at least someone willing to assume liability. You have absolutely no idea what you are doing.

Experience: Certified Arborist, S-212(B sawyer), and a few dead friends.

 

[Shuque]

I worked for a tree removal service. Didn't know what I was doing half the time, but nothing bad ever happened. The boss would often have smoke sessions before our shift started.

Were you guys insured?

 

[TripLikeIDo]

I was a log builder for a while and have cut down many, many trees to clear property and for the purpose you're describing. To be honest with you, I have never heard of such an analytical perspective to felling a tree as that guy describes. Unfortunately for you, he demonstrates his skills on a very easy tree in an easy situation, so you're not going to get a worst case scenario.
He also doesn't show you how to do the most critical part of the plunge cut, which is the beginning.
This video is the chainsaw equivalent of showing how to do Judo throws on a willing participant, rather than in a competition.
Of course the safest thing to do is hire a professional (make sure they are licensed and insured), but if you really want a opinion from someone who is both a tightwad and someone who has a buttload of chainsaw experience, take a photo of the trees with your house in the picture, and I'll give you my opinion of whether or not I think you can do it without much experience.
Seriously.

 

[Merlotte's]

Were you guys insured?

We were. The boss would make everyone stop smoking when a UA was coming up. Majority of the work was performed on very large properties, not a whole lot could go wrong. I was the climber in tight spots which required a tree to be cut down in segments. Sometimes the manlift couldn't make into peoples yards. So much fun on nice days.

 

[Josh]

I've owned and used chainsaws for the last 10 years of my life, including a 60" bar on an old Stihl 090 for quartering old growth for a band-saw mill. Between my experience in the timber industry and my experience as a paramedic, I really suggest you leave this to professionals.

I really, really, really suggest you hire professionals to do this.

 

[Snakesolidsnake]

Go on YouTube and watch all the idiots cutting a tree and have it fall on their house. Hire a professional.

I don't know much about insurance, but I doubt they cover it. Your rates will definitely go up AND you may have to fix the house yourself. Is that really worth the cost of hiring an insured proffessional?

 

[Omegaboy13]

I was a log builder for a while and have cut down many, many trees to clear property and for the purpose you're describing. To be honest with you, I have never heard of such an analytical perspective to felling a tree as that guy describes. Unfortunately for you, he demonstrates his skills on a very easy tree in an easy situation, so you're not going to get a worst case scenario.
He also doesn't show you how to do the most critical part of the plunge cut, which is the beginning.
This video is the chainsaw equivalent of showing how to do Judo throws on a willing participant, rather than in a competition.
Of course the safest thing to do is hire a professional (make sure they are licensed and insured), but if you really want a opinion from someone who is both a tightwad and someone who has a buttload of chainsaw experience, take a photo of the trees with your house in the picture, and I'll give you my opinion of whether or not I think you can do it without much experience.
Seriously.

Not to mention that the plunge cut is a pretty high level technique. Guys out west on wildfires don't fuck with the plunge cut, it's definitely an East coast thing. You risk hitting the kickback, and amateurs shouldn't try this shit.

 

[Omegaboy13]

I've owned and used chainsaws for the last 10 years of my life, including a 60" bar on an old Stihl 090 for quartering old growth for a band-saw mill. Between my experience in the timber industry and my experience as a paramedic, I really suggest you leave this to professionals.

I really, really, really suggest you hire professionals to do this.

Damn man nice rig, Haven't seen a 090 yet. I had a 088 for a while. The east doesn't have trees big enough to warrant anything that beastly.

 

[Deleted member 220895]

I've owned and used chainsaws for the last 10 years of my life, including a 60" bar on an old Stihl 090 for quartering old growth for a band-saw mill. Between my experience in the timber industry and my experience as a paramedic, I really suggest you leave this to professionals.

I really, really, really suggest you hire professionals to do this.

This if you don't want to have the time of your life.