Today 1:38 pm
Cannonpointer » Today, 9:21 am » wrote: ↑ Bowlines are my go-to with falling trees - and tie downs, and lots of other stuff. I haven't felled any trees in decades, but when I was in my twenties, I was tasked with pulling down some Chyna-berry trees. I climbed high, tied off with bowlines, then climbed down and cut my wedge almost to the point it would fall, and {these trees being tall and light) I ran to my rope and hauled the trees my way by muscle only. These three trees were in a backyard, and there were power lines, and a fence, and roofs to avoid. No possibility of getting a vehicle back there.
This was a truly *** up job. I had no experience, but I knew rope work, I was a good climber, and I was strong as a bull. And I wasn't paying for a job like this. In all three cases, I had to stand my ground and continue the hard pull right up to the last minute in order to make damned sure the tree fell where X marked the spot. And then I had to do a running dive ending in a tuck and roll to avoid the canopy. I got scratched up a little, but I didn't get photosynthesized.
Looking back, it was the smart play - especially for a retard. A man's gotta know his limitations, but he's also gotta play to his strengths.
The only thing I ever accidentally took out was an eight foot section of picket fence.
I mentioned the canopies can roll against each other. Or sometimes tangle. Foolers.
This one rolled just like two umbrellas in a crowd against the next tree and fell 4 feet to the right of my target.
TBH I was playing that one pretty close as it was. Lesson learned.
Came close to my boat once. But I had an extra line holding the drop away from that direction. Needless to say my afterthought of adding that insurance rope saved me. Another lesson learned.
A lot of it is caution and common sense. Diving out of the canopy fall is for you acrobats...
Please seat yourself.
I like the very things you hate.
I like the very things you hate.