tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post7244087770926099528..comments2024-03-18T20:50:36.597-07:00Comments on Rural Revolution: Small-scale loggingPatrice Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06012022335047974670noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-19234778314899153152013-10-27T20:36:44.924-07:002013-10-27T20:36:44.924-07:00Can I assume you put the rope on before you ever s...Can I assume you put the rope on before you ever start cutting? Do you pull it taught?<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-81905481813878695352013-10-26T19:57:46.996-07:002013-10-26T19:57:46.996-07:00I will also add this.... The face cut should NOT b...I will also add this.... The face cut should NOT be a cookie. It should also look almost like a 90 degree cut (Don's cut looks almost 45 degrees) IF you cut it at a 90 degree angle, 45 up and 45 down, the tree when it falls with the hinge will almost NEVER break. You lose the hinge, you lose control. As said before, a straight level back cut is best. Never at the angle he uses (down) into the tree. The bigger the tree, the better to get the wedges behind the saw blade too. I use metal headed plastic wedges as hammering in a totally plastic wedge is pretty hard on the wedge. Just some tips from an "old" sawyer. Stihl & Husqvarna has some pretty good safety programs & tips. Look em up on their websites or with chainsaw dealers. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-61170135592348918762013-10-26T14:43:41.064-07:002013-10-26T14:43:41.064-07:00I also have to agree with using chaps. For years I...I also have to agree with using chaps. For years I never used them, but now I would never touch a saw without them. They are a bit expensive but well worth the investment and very comfortable after you get used to them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-2694956117764621302013-10-26T12:45:04.340-07:002013-10-26T12:45:04.340-07:00Ah, Ralph Moody, what a great author! One of my fa...Ah, Ralph Moody, what a great author! One of my favorite books when I was a teenager was his " Little Britches ' Man of the family ". I will now try and find " The Fields of Home " that you mention. Thank you,<br /><br /> Dee in the American WestAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-10117735802371913012013-10-25T21:59:58.514-07:002013-10-25T21:59:58.514-07:00(Homer Simpson voice) "Mmmm, firewood."...(Homer Simpson voice) "Mmmm, firewood."<br />Thank you for the great, picture-filled post.<br /><br /><br />- Charlie<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-44258887204541479682013-10-25T12:23:24.342-07:002013-10-25T12:23:24.342-07:00For most trees I cut, and especially for trees tha...For most trees I cut, and especially for trees that lean or have all the limbs on one side, I use a 150 ft rope that is 3/4 inch or 1 inch in diameter. You can put the rope in a tree with a long extension ladder, but a cheap pair of climbers is even better. Climb up, put the rope in the tree, climb down. The higher the rope is, the better. You'd be surprised how much difference two people pulling that rope can make in guaranteeing that the tree goes where you want it. Not effective for large operations, but for cutting a couple of trees on the farm or in the yard, it only takes a few extra minutes and can prevent nasty surprises.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-80025909004432371162013-10-25T04:01:26.628-07:002013-10-25T04:01:26.628-07:00Amen. Won't touch a chain saw without chaps a...Amen. Won't touch a chain saw without chaps anymore. I have a nasty scar on my left leg from when the saw just NICKED me...Crustyrustyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09478587825608882510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-9379620569356069532013-10-25T02:44:11.099-07:002013-10-25T02:44:11.099-07:00Hubby has taken down a lot of our trees. Take a lo...Hubby has taken down a lot of our trees. Take a look-see at my posts of 9/6 (My Paul Bunyon) and 9/22 (Firewood). We have enough wood for the next couple of years! Like Don, he is very careful and takes his time deciding where to fell each tree. After they are down, he digs up and removes the stumps with the backhoe.Chickenmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02978826295959619815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-79554067962683435112013-10-24T18:52:17.022-07:002013-10-24T18:52:17.022-07:00Enjoyed the story - great tips on felling trees. ...Enjoyed the story - great tips on felling trees. I heat my Kansas home with wood and large trees like this, make me very nervous. I don't have a good record of bringing down such trees and will try some of your techniques next time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-1631450032446057282013-10-24T16:40:08.699-07:002013-10-24T16:40:08.699-07:00I almost forgot to mention --- that's a terrif...I almost forgot to mention --- that's a terrific article you wrote on water over at Backwoods Home! It's so comprehensive, I'm only about a third of the way through it so far.<br /><br />Just MeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-32672882139750378782013-10-24T16:23:53.551-07:002013-10-24T16:23:53.551-07:00Felling trees. I don't know of anything that ...Felling trees. I don't know of anything that makes me more nervous than that. Thank goodness you guys came away without any injuries. Nice picture essay. <br /><br />Just Me<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-68503997245823368932013-10-24T16:08:47.519-07:002013-10-24T16:08:47.519-07:00http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6vFWmLXl3g
I coul...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6vFWmLXl3g<br /><br />I could not resist!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-61961232425285552092013-10-24T15:48:01.032-07:002013-10-24T15:48:01.032-07:00The comment by the former logger about Don's b...The comment by the former logger about Don's backcut is spot on.The backcut should not have a steep angle as this loses your control of the trees fall.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-17909538996515636262013-10-24T10:25:06.549-07:002013-10-24T10:25:06.549-07:00I always loved it when Dad would go logging, when ...I always loved it when Dad would go logging, when he would come home he always smelled so wonderful the smell of hard work and trees. I can remember many a time running down the basement stairs to get a hug from Dad and just enjoying that wonderful woody smell.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05354638313869681651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-47192203920936583292013-10-24T09:27:32.257-07:002013-10-24T09:27:32.257-07:00I usually drive the tractor while hubby hooks the ...I usually drive the tractor while hubby hooks the chains around the logs. <br />I have found that the wedges or cookies can make a nice door stop.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-26911662195402617472013-10-24T09:23:48.882-07:002013-10-24T09:23:48.882-07:00Patrice,
Thank you and Don and the girls for this...Patrice,<br /><br />Thank you and Don and the girls for this post. There are so many people who don't know how to cut down a tree properly.<br />This is also a great reminder for those who do tree cutting.<br />We have one very large tree where branches are weaved in between electrical lines leading into our home. We will be targeting this tree in the near future before winter rolls in.Sandy Livesayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06183449816586125720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-86890195265984646802013-10-24T08:09:07.637-07:002013-10-24T08:09:07.637-07:00"Are the branches not useful as kindling?&quo..."Are the branches not useful as kindling?"<br /><br />Actually, not so much. I find it's easier, faster and cleaner to split some kindling from cut wood. We do collect and utilize a lot of the pieces and larger chips, but split-wood kindling works best. The branches can bring a lot of bugs and spiders into the house, and aren't as easy to manage and store as is split kindling.<br /><br />Not to worry about 'waste' in the woodpile, though. Even the woodpiles have their multiple uses, for both critters and humans alike.<br /><br />Very little ever goes to waste out here. <br /><br />A. McSpAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-81884930291455104892013-10-24T06:53:46.227-07:002013-10-24T06:53:46.227-07:00I use the branches for kindling and small fires an...I use the branches for kindling and small fires and stove-wood. But, it can be labor intensive without special tools. First - a small chain saw to cut the branches to a convenient length - about 6 - 8 feet. Second - gasoline engine powered cord wood saw to cut the 6-8 foot pieces into stove wood length. My home-built cord wood saw has a 14" diameter carbide tipped blade and is powered with a 7 HP engine. It handles wood up to 4" in diameter nicely.<br />Hangtown FrankAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-25663673736560366072013-10-24T06:39:32.727-07:002013-10-24T06:39:32.727-07:00You might consider spraying and tarping the cut lo...You might consider spraying and tarping the cut logs to kill the bark beetles inside them.<br />Also maintaining the live trees and making them healthier will help prevent infestation. Cut and spray any tree at the first sign of stress. Thin out the forest to keep the remaining trees healthy. A healthy, non-stressed tree will often "push out" bark beetles and live. You might want to find out if cattle trampling shallow rooted firs has much of an effect on them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-27515331717461456232013-10-24T06:22:11.303-07:002013-10-24T06:22:11.303-07:00In Ralph Moody's book "The Fields of Home...In Ralph Moody's book "The Fields of Home" he describes in detail the way his grandfather took out some dead Chestnut trees from the wood lot. Fascinating operation! So glad all went well with yours. Thanks for the great pictures.Rozy Lasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06019413665136390175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-68687343607456032622013-10-24T05:11:12.422-07:002013-10-24T05:11:12.422-07:00Are the branches not useful as kindling?
I underst...Are the branches not useful as kindling?<br />I understand why for a large operation it's not worthwhile but for a homestead it always pains me to see people "waste" this wood.<br />Skvez.suk@gmail.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-34707879924569367872013-10-24T03:22:49.901-07:002013-10-24T03:22:49.901-07:00 We are starting to build on our newly purchased 1... We are starting to build on our newly purchased 12 raw acres in east Texas. Lots of trees have to go to make room for the home/barns/gardens..... This is Very helpful information, many thanks. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09586330044953097637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-89555822899511785482013-10-24T03:02:25.568-07:002013-10-24T03:02:25.568-07:00I used to be a logger and I have seen trees go the...I used to be a logger and I have seen trees go the wrong way, with people in them. We used to set out stakes or markers out when felling to see who was the most accurate. I noticed that Don's back cut is done at an angle. We always made that a straight cut, a couple of inches (sometimes upwards of 6-12, depending on the size of the tree) above where the two front cuts some together. This allowed for an even "holding wood" through the center of the tree; which would help the tree fall smoother, straighter, and shilft less. It is a wonderful skill to have and Don did a great job. It's a plus that he didn't take out the fence too!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-65495624014152156862013-10-23T23:08:51.366-07:002013-10-23T23:08:51.366-07:00didn't see the kevlar chaps. neighbors could g...didn't see the kevlar chaps. neighbors could go in on the expense and pass them around as needed. with all the beetles there will be more dead trees.<br />chaps will save your life. no way for medical help to get there soon enough. a sliced artery and you're gone.<br />word to the wise.<br />deb harveyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-65061361259044518762013-10-23T22:30:54.639-07:002013-10-23T22:30:54.639-07:00That Don is one handy dude. I'll bet he could...That Don is one handy dude. I'll bet he could butter peanuts. I want to be just like him when I grow up.<br /><br />Huggs..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com