#60 Firewood Safety Hazards - I Need Your Help!

Cleaning up a maple tree I took down. Running into some hazards along the way. Looking to enlist your opinions on how to best deal with this widow maker. I also almost get my head knocked off by a spring loaded branch. Enjoy

Music Credit: OurMusicBox (Jay Man)
Track Name: "Old School Blues"

[olddawgdreaming]

Adam, after looking at the tree from the shot where you was hooked up with the strap I would put a snatch block about 3’ up on the bigger tree to the left of the tree and winch from the area where your vehicle is right now. Hook up right by the split where it started and pull the tree down to the left, it should roll left out come down 🤞🙏🏻👍. Be safe and good luck. At about 3:10 on the clip

[OurGreeneAcres]

I would take care of the hazard before doing any firewood bucking. That said go get the tractor and a chain so you can lift the butt end with the FEL and back out. I’ve done it several times with whole trees. Good video stay safe brother.

[mattbrodacki]

Dropped about 65 or so on a property I cleared and owned a 1985 210 John Deere at time to help.

Tricky trees:

I invested in 120 feet of chain in 20 foot lengths from depot (each came in a bucket that I later saved and stored them). Can get even more I suppose but 120 was great for me.

Would leave chain in the bucket and raise up high as I could get and bump the tree.

Climb from tractor to bucket and chain tree. Walk tractor out until needed attaching chains as needed.

Notching, and cutting it helps tremendously and we re-routed some big oaks! Helps to have a buddy help drive tractor during cut.. but never lost a tree to wrong direction with 14k pound machine and heavy duty chains.

Love your content and best to you and your new family :).

[TheLuke]

Adam, all due credit for asking for help - especially regarding safety. So many people these days don't want to hear anything but their own opinion, so kudos.

Re: the widow maker, I would do as others have suggested and use some line (whether from winch or rated rope) to run through a snatch block off axis and then do a controlled pull perpendicular to wherever you are anchored.

Re: that spring loaded limb...shew, be careful man. Just because you knew it would happen does not mean it couldn't have also snapped up into your face, neck, chest, etc...or, worse, knocked your running saw up at your head. On those things, patience is a virtue...SOP is to do a partial cut on the top and, a couple inches down the limb, do a relieving partial bottom cut. In the future, I would do that a couple times until some of the kinetic energy has been let out of the wood fibers and then you should be able to complete one of your partial cuts.

[garny]

Adam I maybe would try to pull it sideways or @45. Thinner profile and hook it lower to the ground. Take advantage of as much positive line pull as you can get. Tractor would of handled it with no issues. With the tractor you can increase you positive line pull to really increase weight distribution adding traction either with the loader or three point top link.

[mikeg]

Hi Adam, I would make a slow slight cut not through, 1 foot off the ground. Don't pinch your bar. Hook the strap above the cut, and pull, it will break and fall straight down. Thats how I see it from the camera angle. You have a better view in person.

[gregschultz]

I read the comments, My vote goes to the guy that says snatch block and come along, just something to pass along that I do is, I use my power pruner to get 15 ft farther from a dangerous situation, Thanks For Your Videos !!!

[markjones]

Adam bring your tractor, hook up a chain between tractor drawbar and atv hitch. Hook up s snatch block perpendicular to the tree, cut a small notch on the tree about a foot up then hook your cable 3ft up the tree and winch. The notch will break the tension at the ground and you'll be able to winch it out.

[garybenedict]

Try pulling from a different angle. Great video with valuable content Good luck continue to work safe

[dennishayes]

Im a new subscriber ! Enjoyed my first view of you channel. im from SW Minnesota.

[MallardplusFarmhouse]

I think you could get it with your tractor. But I know you'll figure something out no matter how you do it. Nice drone shots buddy! 👍👍

[JoeMama-upgj]

If you put a strap/rope as high as you can reach you should be able to move the top with the tractor. Pull it just far enough to get it away from the tree it's in and to change the direction its leaning then let it fall. If you pull too far you will bring it toward you. If you decide to cut it. Notch the underside and cut straight down from the top side. The notch should help it break before it binds your saw. Don't cut higher than your waist so it's more likely to hit the ground before it hits you.

[digbyodell]

Awkward position for the spring loaded branch. You can cut a larger branch/stem further down the stem which will usually release the tension slower and more controlled. Best though without anything to block the release is never cut on the side it is going to spring toward, which means cutting and clearing on the backside until you can reach the branch(s) that are under high tension and there's nothing attached or hooked behind you that might move toward you if the whole tree shifts with the release of tension.

[timberray]

Look up BC faller training standard, also Terry Hale makes some very educational videos.

[dukeflem]

On the widow maker there are several ways to handle it. One.. make a cut about two to three feet up on the limb in the direction you are pulling (down the road), attach the chain above that cut, and pull. It should break and release in that direction. Two... make a vertical cut up from the bottom under the split part. Stand back and only use the end of the bar. It will drop straight down but it shouldn't be stuck hard into the ground. Then pull it away. Three... Use a redirect pulley across the road and run your rope down to the 4wd. Before pulling, make a light horizontal cut in the split face and attach your rope above it or attach your rope first and then score it. When you pull, it will break and go across the road. Four... attach a rope around the round part with your pole saw up, cut a horizontal cut across the round part on both sides part way through. When you pull with the 4wd it will snap where you cut it. I would also attach another rope to the pulling rope and tie it off to prevent it from travelling in your direction.

[JeremyTVOK]

If you’re unable to get the tractor up to it, I’d probably wait until Mother Nature brings it down for you. Especially if it isn’t in your way or a hazard to anyone.

I liked the drone shots too! Looks like you got pretty close to a small branch. I did that on a drone photo shoot the other day. I’ve been a commercial drone pilot for a few years but those unseen branches still make me nervous!

[philandhannahslittlefarm]

I would definitely take a piece out of it and try pulling it again. If you cut a wedge on the top side and then make your second cut on the bottom it will hinge down.. try and make the cut so it will land flatter with less of a point. The piece that's there now would have fallen with alot more force as it came from 20-30' if you take another chunk you should be able to get it... just always have an escape route planned in case you have to get out of the way so your not tripping on branches.

[henryrodgers]

May sound stupid but I'd try pulling it with a long chain or strap with the tractor . Tractor has more power than a SBS . A rope or chain going to a block and tackle to a tree across the path and then pull with the tractor . Just a thought .

[HomesteadJay]

Holy tension! At least you foresaw it coming which is a positive! I think the best thing to do (just my opinion, im not a professional either, just a fellow firewood enthusiast) for the widow maker id put a small notch cut in the widow maker above the broken part in some clean wood facing the direction of the UTV then a start a small back cut on the other side of the tree (as if you were felling it normally) Id take that back cut slow and as soon as you start seeing the hinge close id back up! Let gravity take it down slowly down. I wouldnt rip in the back cut cause then the tree will drop faster than you prob like. I think this could be a safe way but then again im not standing next to you lol any questions let me know! Good luck!

[Hfoutdoorsyt]

be careful. I think the fact you are being super conscious about it, you'll do fine.