How to "fell" a tree

 

We are Woodcutters!

Our picture above proves it and our existence relies on it.  For the cold weather, we thank God.  More cold, people need more wood...............simple as that.

I took pictures one great cloudy day on how the Dyer men (my 2 wonderful, God-fearing, reformed Christian men) "fell a tree".  This is terminology in logger talk for cutting a tree down.
First, find a perfect tree.  This day, the Dyer men both found his own tree.

It is sad, because these once beautiful Live Oak trees are hundreds of years old and they have died due to "wilt" disease. Science really hasn't found a cure yet.   Meanwhile, people like our Bar-B-Que place in town need hard Oak wood...........so, we deliver.

This tree, as most of the dead trees that day, was dark and haunting.
The first thing to do is to cut off all branches within reach.

 

This is not a "safe" position.  But, the job was getting done and Jody assured me the footing was solid.

Our family uses Stihl chainsaws.  Our good friend, Colby Crockett, has a Stihl retail and service center in Dallas.  Not that we are experienced with many brands, but we know that Stihls are the best.  We have run these machines for days at a time working on very hard oak wood.  We are not your weekender wood choppers needing a little firewood.  I mean, these saws are industrial strength.  Good Company.......Stihl.


So, after removing reachable branches, the important next step is making a notch.  What is a notch?  Defined this way from Loggingterms.com, "A section of wood sawn and removed from a tree's base. Its removal allows the tree to fall and assists in direction where it will fall. The face is comprised of two separate cuts which have constant relationships; the horizontal cut must be at least 1/3 the diameter of the tree, the sloping cut must be angled enough to allow a wide opening and the two cuts must not cross each other.  This will control the direction the tree will fall."  We pray that it controls the direction it falls

  Joel first cuts close to the ground, parallel to the ground, or horizontal as it says.......

Then he makes another cut, like a half moon above the bottom cut.   This will cut out a wedge.  This is the process of cutting a notch.

 

  

  

Now the tree is sure to fall that way (to the left).

Joel now goes to the back side away from the notch.  He cuts and pushes at the same time.  He loves doing this!!  Big machine, big tree, BIG THRILL!!!

Now I run far around to get out of the way of the high branches.

It scares me to death to see Joel on his knees sawing on a teetering tree.

But, he gets out of the way!!!

  

  

Well DONE!!!

Meanwhile Jody is making his notch...........

  

Oh he is handsome!!!  He just shaved off his beard leaving this gotee look.........less white, more skin.  Just right!!!

Jody makes a great notch.  Joel comes over to help his old man!!! 

Trees are both down, Now pictures please!!!

(I love my camera)

 

I love trying to get Joel to pose.  It is almost like catching a mouse. 

God has blessed us with a wonderful son.

I didn't get a close up of Jody that day, well actually, I did............and , well I need to use another picture.  Here is one of my favorites from Christmas Day.

No matter, this is how to "fell a tree".

My Man, in whom I am proud.  He is a woodcutter!!!!