BillyVance 35 #1 October 28, 2009 I hadn't used the ol' Stihl 310 in over 5 years, and I couldn't find the manual that came with it. If you've seen my garage, you'd see why. But finally, I took it to the local Stihl dealer to have them check it over and buy the needed supplies (oil, chain, etc). Back home and chainsaw's all set. I tackled the big dead pine tree about 20 yards off the end of the house in the woods. Looking at it, I knew I wanted it to fall away from the house, and there was a clear channel for it to fall that way. "V" cut in that direction, and a straight cut on the other side just above the point of the V. However, having been over 5 years, my skills were a little rusty. I made the V cut, and before I knew it, had made it a little too deep. While in the process of making the opposite side straight cut (which turned out a bit too low), I noticed the tree was starting to lean the other way, towards the house. So I decided to stop running the saw and pull it out. Uh oh... the tree's pinned the saw in place. Fuck... It's leaning toward the house. Luckily there were two large hardwood trees in its way and a few other smaller trees that could serve as deflectors so it would never touch the house if it came down that way. All I needed to do was move all vehicles off the driveway beyond the tree's reach. Got my dad out to help me (folks were visiting for a few days to spend time with their new grand-daughter). Took out a band saw and worked on the V cut while the other wiggled the saw out, both keeping an eye up on the trunk for any movement. We also cut off any smaller trees (one inch in diameter) that were in the way of our escape path so we could get out in a hurry. After checking the chain saw to make sure it was still good (it was), we went back to work. Got the trunk cut all the way through and then it tipped over toward the house, with only the two large trees stopping it in its tracks. Now came the hard part, using the chain saw to cut 5 foot lengths off the bottom of the trunk one at a time to bring the tree down. I got 5 lengths off with the saw and a sledgehammer before I'd had enough. I'd cut through with a V and opposite straight cut almost all the way, then make quick swiping cuts with the end of the saw to make it easier to back out and retreat in a hurry, and usually the tree just settled on top of the cut trunk while leaning on the other trees. Enter the sledgehammer. Now that was a "hit and run" if I ever saw one. Every time, it took one whack to knock the cut piece out of the way and the rest of the tree would shift down and rain leaves and small branches all over, but it would still lean against the other trees. I'm about 1/3 of the way through but the rest should be easy since the trunk gets smaller the further you go. A 310 is one heavy motherfucker. But I need every inch of that 20" bar. So far, so good, I haven't had anything hit and damage the house this time. "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heatmiser 0 #2 October 28, 2009 Solution: Asplundh, and a bunch of cash. What you say is reflective of your knowledge...HOW ya say it is reflective of your experience. Airtwardo Someone's going to be spanked! Hopefully, it will be me. Skymama Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #3 October 28, 2009 The back cut is supposed to be at a step higher than the V This acts as a kickout stop. No more than 2/3rd through the tree, you never know how weak it might be. Usually half way or just a hair more is fine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #4 October 28, 2009 Me too, but for a little different reason....Halloween IS just around the corner! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 886 #5 October 28, 2009 Call Amazon for help?!?!?!?! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #6 October 28, 2009 Quote Call Amazon for help?!?!?!?! Phuck Thee I will have you know I fell several trees this summer with my Stihl 034...without any further issues. One of them was a Western Red Cedar that was 3 ft in diameter and about 100 ft high. And I have plenty of alder I cut as well for firewood. As I said at the time that is the first time I ever even got a scratch. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #7 October 28, 2009 Quote Call Amazon for help?!?!?!?! I had my dad around to show where and how to get things done after my initial fuck up. Only after that did I remember how I used to do things that worked in the past. I should be fine from now on, but have to remember to have a buddy or my wife around while I'm running the saw. You never know.... just ask Amazon. "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #8 October 28, 2009 i recall the time when you rented the bobcat!!!!!!! THAt turned interesting tooo!!!! BV... never mind 'have a buddy around" better i think,,,,, to "have a video camera around...." though you DO always do a good job in describing the "ACTION"".!!!! JMY Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #9 October 28, 2009 Thanks, it's one of my talents. Why I didn't pursue a career in journalism, I don't know. Maybe it's a career I can still check out.... I still need another session with the bobcat to finish the job, maybe next month. Let's just hope I don't accidentally knock over the power pole then. "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #10 October 29, 2009 Quote I still need another session with the bobcat to finish the job, maybe next month. Let's just hope I don't accidentally knock over the power pole then. Be sure to hire a good video guy this time! If you can just post the video, it won't require so much typing to explain what happened."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d_squared431 0 #11 October 29, 2009 I didnt read your whole post yet. With all the house hold accidents you have had I think your wife should be in charge of the chainsaw... TPM Sister#130ONTIG#1 I love vodka.I love vodka cause it rhymes with Tuaca~LisaH You having a clean thought is like billyvance having a clean post.iluvtofly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #12 October 29, 2009 Quote I didnt read your whole post yet. With all the house hold accidents you have had I think your wife should be in charge of the chainsaw... Are you kidding me? She won't even come near it! "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonstark 8 #13 October 29, 2009 I use felling wedges which are made of plastic and won't harm the saw when you hit them. I slip them in behind the blade as I go to keep the saw from getting pinched. When direction really counts I use the big orange wedge. That's the Kubota's front loader bucket pushing on the tree in the direction I want it to go. You should see some of the stoopid stuff I have gotten away with though, and not by much either. jon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #14 October 29, 2009 QuoteI use felling wedges which are made of plastic and won't harm the saw when you hit them. I slip them in behind the blade as I go to keep the saw from getting pinched. Sounds great. Hadn't thought of that. Are they offered in a store or can I just make my own out of scrap wood? Even then, it wouldn't have helped in this case today, the back edge of the saw was just barely within the trunk when the saw got pinched."Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shah269 0 #15 October 29, 2009 You.....away from the chain saw! My god man be careful!Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay. The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skydave103 0 #16 October 29, 2009 If a tree falls can Billy hear it? LifeshouldNOTbeajourneytothegravewithawellpreservedbody,buttskidinsideways,cigarinone hand,martiniintheother,bodythoroughlyused upandscreaming:"WOO HOO!! What a ride!!!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpwally 0 #17 October 29, 2009 Wheres the pics ? smile, be nice, enjoy life FB # - 1083 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tiger6513 0 #19 October 29, 2009 I lived in VT for many years and fell 100's of trees... if I were you I'd stick to skydiving hahaha... at least you got er down w/o injury, seriously be careful I have seen some nasty accidents come through the ERTravis Roy Foundation. At very least its a tax write off Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #20 October 29, 2009 Quote If a tree falls can Billy hear it? Fuck man, I can't even hear myself scream "TIIIIIIIIIIIIMBEEEERRRRR!!!!" "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snowwhite 0 #21 October 29, 2009 We had a huge storm a year ago, and I spent the next 5 months behind a chain saw. Several of my clients have huge property and they are all covered in massive oak, elm and maple. One of the trees that fell last year was a 60 foot oak. We cut up all of the downed timber and removed it, but the trunk still sticks up 12 to 15 feet in the air. The interesting part is, it still has another section of trunk hanging from the top of it, all the way to within 1 foot of the ground. It's on a hill, and is bordered in the back by woods and in the front by a Rhododendron garden that I planted 10 years ago with 60 rhodies. I hate to think about taking it out, but I gotta do it. Perhaps if I wait until the ground is frozen and can park my truck right behind it in the woods, and can drop it just right, I can get a new truck. Billie, wanna help?skydiveTaylorville.org freefallbeth@yahoo.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #22 October 29, 2009 Quote Perhaps if I wait until the ground is frozen and can park my truck right behind it in the woods, and can drop it just right, I can get a new truck. Billie, wanna help? Just say when. I might just change my costume for halloween to a Jason Vorhees hockey mask and fake blood all over the chainsaw. Only problem is, Jason was over 6 feet tall. I'm a runt at 5'-6". "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
futuredivot 0 #23 October 29, 2009 QuoteI'm a runt at 5'-6" You'd be a runt no matter you height-it's an attitude thingYou are only as strong as the prey you devour Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
