Chopping with an axe up in a tree

I really respect lumberjacks snd arborists! I have felled many, many trees, but the knowledge and techniques they have are awesome. I loved watching the chopping in the tree! I have swung hatchets and choppers in trees for small limbs, but no way I would be up there swinging an axe like that!

Professional tree services deserve every penny imho (especially when working around homes and wires). Very humbling how controlled they can drop limbs.
 
I recall long ago when my pro faller neighbor showed me how to wedge a leaner over backwards. It actually solved a big problem for me, and I thought I was on top of the world.

Then he told me to chain above the cut to prevent barber-chairing a red alder.

Few months later, a faller we knew got killed on the job. Dangerous work requires a deep skillset. 100% respect.

Parker
 
The kid next door to me has trimmed or removed about every tree in the neighborhood that has needed it. Dirt cheap but not bonded or insured. It seems most people don't have a problem with that, at least not yet...
 
garry3 said:
The kid next door to me has trimmed or removed about every tree in the neighborhood that has needed it. Dirt cheap but not bonded or insured. It seems most people don't have a problem with that, at least not yet...
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I totally understand that, but it doesn’t take but a gust of wind to change the impact area and it is nice to know accidents are covered (to property, or to the person doing the work).

In town here there are 3 bigger companies that get tons of business and muni contracts, and a few small ones. Lots of work since the spruce beetles killed lots of trees, and folks hoping to cut down on fire risk as well as potential damage.
 
garry3 said:
The kid next door to me has trimmed or removed about every tree in the neighborhood that has needed it. Dirt cheap but not bonded or insured. It seems most people don't have a problem with that, at least not yet...
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I did a lot of fly by night stuff back in the day. Insurance isn't cheap, but for the ability to take on municipal/state/school district work it was worth it.

I'd be lying if I said I'd never broken anything, but it's all been stuff that was an easy fix. Play the game long enough and eventually it'll happen.

I also bid work for myself a lot cheaper than I do for people who bid it for themselves, and expect me to bail them out when they're over their heads. There's a couple of chuckleheads around here that call me only after they've started a job and realize they can't handle it.
 
catspa said:
I’d call you when I can’t handle it, but I can’t afford your travel time…

Parker
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That's alright, I can barely afford our travel time anymore. Fuel's getting more ridiculous by the day.

Edit to add: Makes trimming with axes and buck saws more and more attractive. Probably should work on my axemanship.
 
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Wild Willie said:
That's alright, I can barely afford our travel time anymore. Fuel's getting more ridiculous by the day.

Edit to add: Makes trimming with axes and buck saws more and more attractive. Probably should work on my axemanship.
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Gas here is $4.69/gal for Reg….
Serious question: what do you think about the Milwaukee top handled cordless saws? Nice to only have saw run when you pull the trigger, use the same batteries as my other tools, and the technology is getting better.
 
beeinak said:
Gas here is $4.69/gal for Reg….
Serious question: what do you think about the Milwaukee top handled cordless saws? Nice to only have saw run when you pull the trigger, use the same batteries as my other tools, and the technology is getting better.
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I don't have much experience with the battery powered saws. A friend of mine has a DeWalt, and for someone that only needs to do occasional cutting it seemed like it would be fine. A big advantage is not needing to buy gas. We have non ethanol readily available here, but for places it isn't, using old gas will tear up a saw.

Another aspect that I'm a fan of with electric is quiet. Communication being key, not needing to shout over a running saw is a good thing.

Like I said, I haven't run them much, but there are aspects that I'm a fan of.
 
Wild Willie said:
I don't have much experience with the battery powered saws. A friend of mine has a DeWalt, and for someone that only needs to do occasional cutting it seemed like it would be fine. A big advantage is not needing to buy gas. We have non ethanol readily available here, but for places it isn't, using old gas will tear up a saw.

Another aspect that I'm a fan of with electric is quiet. Communication being key, not needing to shout over a running saw is a good thing.

Like I said, I haven't run them much, but there are aspects that I'm a fan of.
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I have a Milwaukee pruner chainsaw that is pretty amazing as long as chain is sharp. In snow/ice it has been great to use one-handed while either supporting an overhanging branch on a trail, or supporting myself on a slippery spot. I have cut 6” birch with it. My main winter trail saw is a Stihl MS261 which I just love since it is lighter than most of my others, starts well in cold weather, and can handle most needs. I was thinking of getting the Milwaukee 14” top handle to try it out with its shorter overall length for keeping onboard with snowmachine trips. Jumping off the machine in deep snow to cut a path through a fallen tree is too common getting to my cabin. Lots of the fallen spruce could be handled with a 14” bar.

Thank you for responding. Stay safe!

Edit to say I apologize for veering off thread!
 
I picked up a cordless maybe two years ago.
Wish I got one earlier.


*I'm a guy who HATES cordless. I always, almost buy corded.
I'm a old school fart.


Love my cordless chainsaw.
It's a Real chainsaw.
I cut Real trees down.
 
I've been contemplating some high up work (over my headed, needing a ladder) but I'm not comfortable with it. Don't like tree work off a ladder but don't have enough of a need to gear up for climbing. So there you have it. I might get to it, I might not. :( Not an age issue but 20 years younger would certainly have me thinking less. (I've learned a lot in the ensuing 20 years though... that cause me to think more.) ;)

Love my Milwaukee chain saw. Quiet, capable and start with a trigger but stops immediately upon release. Would need 4 or 5 -12ah high discharge M18 lithium batteries if I used it for days in the woods away from a charger but for my 6 hour (or less stints) my 3 dedicated high discharge batteries are more than enough.
 
RayseM said:
I've been contemplating some high up work (over my headed, needing a ladder) but I'm not comfortable with it. Don't like tree work off a ladder but don't have enough of a need to gear up for climbing. So there you have it. I might get to it, I might not. :( Not an age issue but 20 years younger would certainly have me thinking less. (I've learned a lot in the ensuing 20 years though... that cause me to think more.) ;)

Love my Milwaukee chain saw. Quiet, capable and start with a trigger but stops immediately upon release. Would need 4 or 5 -12ah high discharge M18 lithium batteries if I used it for days in the woods away from a charger but for my 6 hour (or less stints) my 3 dedicated high discharge batteries are more than enough.
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If your not comfortable with it don't do it.
 
RayseM said:
I've been contemplating some high up work (over my headed, needing a ladder) but I'm not comfortable with it. Don't like tree work off a ladder but don't have enough of a need to gear up for climbing. So there you have it. I might get to it, I might not. :( Not an age issue but 20 years younger would certainly have me thinking less. (I've learned a lot in the ensuing 20 years though... that cause me to think more.) ;)

Love my Milwaukee chain saw. Quiet, capable and start with a trigger but stops immediately upon release. Would need 4 or 5 -12ah high discharge M18 lithium batteries if I used it for days in the woods away from a charger but for my 6 hour (or less stints) my 3 dedicated high discharge batteries are more than enough.
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Do you mind my asking which Milwaukee saw you have?

I have a 12ah that works well for my m18 pole pruner. My cabin is off-grid but my whisper-quiet Honda generator works well for winter use of lights (don’t need them in summer) and charging batteries. I have 9 gas saws and 1 gas pole-pruner, but I think the safety/ease of use of an electric chainsaw bigger than my tiny Milwaukee pruner would be awesome on the trail occasionally.

As much as I love axes/hatchets, the ice covered fallen trees can be a bugger and I had a close call trying to cut one with an axe when I was very cold and tired and wearing bulky gloves. Since then, I use hatchets for some limbing and saws (chainsaws and Silky Bigboy) for the bigger stuff.
 
beeinak said:
Do you mind my asking which Milwaukee saw you have?

I have a 12ah that works well for my m18 pole pruner. My cabin is off-grid but my whisper-quiet Honda generator works well for winter use of lights (don’t need them in summer) and charging batteries. I have 9 gas saws and 1 gas pole-pruner, but I think the safety/ease of use of an electric chainsaw bigger than my tiny Milwaukee pruner would be awesome on the trail occasionally.

As much as I love axes/hatchets, the ice covered fallen trees can be a bugger and I had a close call trying to cut one with an axe when I was very cold and tired and wearing bulky gloves. Since then, I use hatchets for some limbing and saws (chainsaws and Silky Bigboy) for the bigger stuff.
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This one - the MILWAUKEE M18 FUEL 16" with a 14" STIHL bar and chain.

I have 12Ah and 8Ah high discharge batteries plus 4 or 5 others 5ah that I use in smaller tools but could be used with the chain saw (though not for very long. I have not tried charging the 12ah batteries with my 600 watt power back but it can do the 5ah OK.

This saw and a 12ah battery are lighter than a same sized gas version but not a casual carry either. Though - just yesterday, I hiked in 3/4 mile with my saw and a few batteries (and more gear) to clean up a fallen tree across the hiking trails. The first time I hiked with the chain saw. (SILKY SAWS can do so much. I wouldn't be without those either.) One battery did more than all the work I needed and carrying it in wasn't that much of a chore for my 70 year old body. :thumbsup: I passed a carry strap with clips through and around the saw for over my shoulder and packed in the rest with a back pack (including chaps and a helmet/face guard /ear muff rig - rather safe than sorry when working alone far from easy help).

This Milwaukee was a great upgrade and life enhancement over my Husqvarna 450 Rancher.



SORRY - we are getting far off topic now. Not an axe man.
 
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Crag the Brewer said:
I picked up a cordless maybe two years ago.
Wish I got one earlier.


*I'm a guy who HATES cordless. I always, almost buy corded.
I'm a old school fart.


Love my cordless chainsaw.
It's a Real chainsaw.
I cut Real trees down.
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What do you have? I’ve avoided them in the past because of apparent longevity issues, but I love the idea of a quiet chainsaw…

Also since we’re on chainsaws and safety, let me add for those who use a chainsaw: Stay out of the path of the blade. Always expect kickback. If you’re looking down at the top of the blade, you’re doing it wrong. I see people making this mistake constantly, even after “training”. Sorry for the off-topic!! ✌️

ETA: Disregard! I just realized what you meant by “real” chainsaw…

😅😂
 
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RayseM said:
This one - the MILWAUKEE M18 FUEL 16" with a 14" STIHL bar and chain.

I have 12Ah and 8Ah high discharge batteries plus 4 or 5 others 5ah that I use in smaller tools but could be used with the chain saw (though not for very long. I have not tried charging the 12ah batteries with my 600 watt power back but it can do the 5ah OK.

This saw and a 12ah battery are lighter than a same sized gas version but not a casual carry either. Though - just yesterday, I hiked in 3/4 mile with my saw and a few batteries (and more gear) to clean up a fallen tree across the hiking trails. The first time I hiked with the chain saw. (SILKY SAWS can do so much. I wouldn't be without those either.) One battery did more than all the work I needed and carrying it in wasn't that much of a chore for my 70 year old body. :thumbsup: I passed a carry strap with clips through and around the saw for over my shoulder and packed in the rest with a back pack (including chaps and a helmet/face guard /ear muff rig - rather safe than sorry when working alone far from easy help).

This Milwaukee was a great upgrade and life enhancement over my Husqvarna 450 Rancher.

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SORRY - we are getting far off topic now. Not an axe man.
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Thank you for responding. Great to hear you are happy with your saw. I was just up at my property felling dead spruce and cutting firewood. I used 2 gas chainsaws, my Milwaukee cordless pruner chainsaw, GB small forest axe (I love that thing), Estwing hatchet, Stihl maul, machete, loppers, and Skrama 240. I love most anything that cuts! Lol.

Stay safe everyone.
 
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