This redwood has been an obstacle on this trail for a few years now and it looks like someone tried to finally get it out of the way but gave up when their chainsaw got stuck. I’ve never tried to cut something this large before and was wondering if they started at the right spot and just needed better tools or if they should have cut it at a different spot on the tree. It looks like the weigh of the two ends pinched the saw when it got low enough. Seems like they got pretty close to cutting all the way through.
by cwm3846
8 Comments
If it is supported on both ends as it appears you should have started with an undercut and work your way up.
Tension vs compression
Cut from the top until the cut starts closing, then come from the bottom up to meet your first cut, be ready to run
Carefully!
The expanded upper gap looks like the cut was correct. An undercut would have been prudent before starting the top cut.
That said, it looks like the log is also under some literal load and likely pinched on the side, which is what hung up the bar. That side load can only be relieved by taking away some of the load above and below the hinge points above and below the trail.
Post cut
Try cutting over the fulcrum points
Given the potential danger in that log, and the cutter’s inexperience in not know to start at the bottom, getting the bar stuck might be why he’s alive.
It is end-bound if I had to guess. Cut from the bottom as far as you can before pinching and then wedge. Then cut from the top and wedge as you go until you are thru. Kick out the wedges and then repeat that process for the next cut.
On a tree that big, I would also do a compound angle cut so that the log rolls out without binding.