Farm Craft: Cutting Down a Tree Tutorial

Key Components for Tree Felling

1. Wedge

   • A flat, horizontal cut showing the direction the tree will fall.
   • Important to meet at a good corner without overcuts.

2. Hinge

   • Area of wood left intact to guide the tree’s fall.
   • Typically 1-2 inches thick.
   • Maintains control over the tree’s direction.

3. Back Cut

   • Cut made above the hinge.
   • Needs to be parallel with the initial cut to maintain a consistent hinge width.

Tree Felling Process

• Initial Steps

  • Determine the direction of the tree fall using the saw's marking.
  • Ensure a correct wedge to prevent unsafe conditions like barber chairing.

• Execution

  • Make a horizontal wedge cut.
  • Follow with a hinge cut, leaving wood intact.
  • Complete with a back cut slightly above the wedge.

Safety Measures

• Avoid overcuts on wedges and back cuts to prevent creating unsafe situations.
• Use of wedges and rope pullers for directing the tree fall.
• Wear a hard hat and consider tree condition (live, dead, leaning).

Advanced Techniques

• Plunge Cuts

  • Used especially with leaning trees.
  • Maintains stability until final cuts are made.

• Rope Pulling System

  • Rope puller and throwing ball used to direct tree fall.
  • Provides control over tree direction.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

• Overcutting Wedges

  • Can lead to loss of control and potential danger.

• Incorrect Hinge Size

  • Too small can break under pressure, too large may not allow the tree to fall.

Practical Demonstration

• Mistakes shown intentionally to highlight common errors.
• Barber chairing explored to show risks associated with incorrect cuts.

Practical Tips

• Use appropriate tools like rope pullers.
• Always ensure trees don’t hit other objects while falling.

Conclusion

• Tree felling requires careful planning, precise cuts, and awareness of safety protocols.
• Experience and practice contribute to safer and more effective tree felling.

These notes provide an overview of the tree felling process as described in the Farm Craft tutorial, highlighting essential steps, safety tips, and common mistakes to avoid.