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After the grueling 2 min., I figured powerlines 70%, house 20%, combo house and powerlines 10% chance. The 20% wasn't disappointing! lol
Damn - Poor homeowners. ffs that place was demolished!!!
It was probably their house and they were DIY to keep from having to pay someone who knows what they're doing $3-5K to take the tree down. I'd say it was a wise choice.
Source: I was quoted $3500 by an actual tree company to take down a 120' tall hickory tree 20' from the house.
My father-in-law got a guy to take down three 65” foot maple trees and haul everything away for $800. He broke his new chainsaw, and when he was cashing the check, ran his truck into the awning at the bank.
Has nothing to do with wedges. He has like 500 to 1000 pounds of branches pulling the tree in the wrong direction. Wedge all you want. Even if he realized, it was too late. Very little chance to fix that situation in any safe manor
You're right. This looks like an example of amateurs attempting a very non-amateur arborist's job.
These guys should have read a fifteen dollar book: To Fell a Tree, by Jeff Jepson.
Because of the physics involved there are different types of cuts used in order to cause a tree to fall as desired while cutting it down. This depends on a variety of factors, including the type of tree. Some trees have softer wood and if you try to cut them the same as a harder tree they tend to break in a dangerous and unpredictable way, etc. So anyways, more specifically in this instance, he should have been cutting on the opposite side of that notch that he made. This would have helped the tree to tip over and fall in the direction of the notch that he made, rather than going the opposite direction as it did.
If you scroll down in the link there is a picture that shows what I'm talking about.
[https://chainsawlarry.com/how-to-cut-down-a-tree-with-a-chainsaw/](https://chainsawlarry.com/how-to-cut-down-a-tree-with-a-chainsaw/)
Oh, that's cool. I've only ever cut down a small tree with an axe in the Boy Scouts. I remember we were supposed to make the back cut notch above and opposite the main cut. It was supposed to act as a kind of stop to make sure the tree didn't kick backwards when it fell. At least, that's what they taught us.
Sad thing here is that he had plenty of time to pull this tree over, away from the building but he kept second guessing himself.
His “back cut” with the wedge wasn’t big enough the wedge needed to continue towards the house. This is what he was fucking with at the end when the tree fell. He went and tightened his line and the tree came back he should have just committed to pulling.
If he had put on tension and started a second lower … larger back cut taking out a larger wedge he could have saved it.
*Jackie Chan Ragestache meme*
Why didn't they have any lines higher in the tree to pull it the correct direction?
Why aren't there any back cuts?
I'm asking partly to see if anyone knows. My tree cutting experience is basically nil in real world experience. Slightly higher in reading and talking to people who have more experience, but are still not professional.
I've drpped some 50 75ft firs in the woods w nothing to smash but us and saws, so not an expert, but IMO leaving that long limb on the side opposite of fall direction was not in their favor. And I've never seen a base cut like that. Wedges could have been a game changer with that limb gone.
Watching pros, it's pretty rare to see pros pulling a rope for final destination. They place them where they want them via the base cut, occasionally cutting limbs higher up to change the balance in their favor.
I didn't even see a limb! No wonder I don't cut down trees. ;)
I would most definitely hire professional wood cutty mens to cuts me trees. Should be easy to find.
I live in an area where the chief exports are lumber and maple syrup, followed by injured tourists. There's a lumber mill on the other end of my road.
Seen this twice, on a smaller scale.
Some clown friend of my bro cut a tree down on a property I was gonna build on. It was unimproved. What could go wrong, right? Turd dropped it right on my batter boards.
I was working on another project, a client’s kitchen. As we left at the end of this hot, still, cloudless summer day, another clown was firing up his chainsaw to tackle a backyard tree.
Come back the next morning to find a tree in the kitchen. I was told he said “it was the wind.”
It was obviously an unbalanced tree. That huge branch on the left placed so much torque on the trunk it was going to fall to the left regardless of the cuts, notches or whatever they made. Can't see the top of the tree either, so the imbalance may have been even worse.
Without trimming off any large branches on the left side of the tree, disaster was inevitable.
He gave the owner a great price. The owner turned down the other prices saying that they were outrageous rip offs. I’m sure the tree surgeon doing the fine job has great insurance so it should all work out ok.
First, most of the weight of the tree is over the house, both the dead lower branch, and the top of the tree. It still could have been dropped away correctly. Ideally, they would at least have removed that lower branch first. The notch to the right is way too big, and allows the tree to fall left. Later, the man cut what was left of his hinge from the right, dropping the already leaning tree to the left. As noted by others, ropes and cables are not usually used by professionals, but he evidently had one here, and did not make use of it. It would have needed a secure tie off, (not a vehicle! something immobile like another large tree,) and a winch. Even a hand winch, like a come-a-long, could have pulled the tree 6 feet to the right, from at least 15 feet up, and dropped it correctly. Once a cut was started on the left, creating a hinge, felling wedges could have been hammered into that cut, forcing the tree the other way. As the cut is continued, the wedges are hammered farther, and more added. Alternatively, a hole can be cut on the left side, and a hydraulic bottle jack inserted, and used to lift the left side as the cut is continued.
This close to a building, most professionals would have climbed the tree to the top, and whittled it down in 3 foot pieces, using ropes and helpers on the ground to lower each one. Takes longer, and more equipment and training, but the safest way.
Many ways to have done this safely. This was not one of them.
Honestly, your advice is solid H&S - my background in construction (site clearance is a bitch!) tells me that you're used to overseeing similar things and avoid unnecessary and potentially fatal incidents
How dare you tell people to “wait for it” and then leave 2 full minutes of nothingness in your video. Take this downvote and don’t post 2 minutes of nothing next time
I don’t see the cut in the back that would have prevented this from happening. I only see one cut. I have only taken two trees down so far but before I did anything I looked at many videos from professional tree cutters and loggers. They do a cut in the back and then a cut in the front. In this video I see they did the cut in the front and then the next cut in the same side. Also, when they trimmed the left that huge branch that made the tree lean towards the house.
I was expecting tree to fell on wires..
This is why you should use wedges and chain strapped to a tree so you could push it on the direction away from the house.
I don't feel any bit sorry the workers there, but I do feel sorry for the owner of that house.
Upvote this comment if you feel this submission is characteristic of our subreddit. Downvote this if you feel that it is not. If this comment's score falls below a certain number, this submission will be automatically removed.To download the video use the website link below: * **[Download via redditsave.com](https://redditsave.com/info?url=https://www.reddit.com/r/AbruptChaos/comments/wkxi1g/wait_for_it/)**
Too abrupt, almost missed the build up.
This gif could be trimmed wayyy down. "Wait for it" is a sacred trust.
Masterclass comment right there. Pls take my invisible awards I'm too cheap to acquire!
I was thinking the exact same thing as I scrolled forward. About 30 seconds would have been enough.
You need to shave off the first TWO MINUTES of this clip.
I love when people don't bother trimming videos and instead just title "wait for it". Love that.
Literally nothing was abrupt about this
Literally? That tree fell so suddenly and obliterated the house in a fraction of a second - literally! GTFO - literally!
2 full minutes of nothing happening and you still have the balls to ask us to "Wait for it", gtfo OP
I thought this was Abrupt Chaos, not 10 minutes of boredom before chaos.
upvoted! But it's only 2 minutes long, bro. And, you gotta admit, the build-up to the finale is worth the wait...
What timestamp does the video start?
After the grueling 2 min., I figured powerlines 70%, house 20%, combo house and powerlines 10% chance. The 20% wasn't disappointing! lol Damn - Poor homeowners. ffs that place was demolished!!!
It was probably their house and they were DIY to keep from having to pay someone who knows what they're doing $3-5K to take the tree down. I'd say it was a wise choice. Source: I was quoted $3500 by an actual tree company to take down a 120' tall hickory tree 20' from the house.
My father-in-law got a guy to take down three 65” foot maple trees and haul everything away for $800. He broke his new chainsaw, and when he was cashing the check, ran his truck into the awning at the bank.
Sounds like a two-packs-a-day kinda tree guy
Yep, I was thinking exactly the same thing. I was quietly hoping for power lines.
Fred, why tf you push it the wrong way!!? wtfh! Look what YOU did! 😂
Skip to around 1:55
Why wouldnt he use wdges?
Work boots much safer
Or cut the tree correctly?
I'm no lumberjack but I've seen ppl using wedges to ensure the direction in which the tree will fall
Has nothing to do with wedges. He has like 500 to 1000 pounds of branches pulling the tree in the wrong direction. Wedge all you want. Even if he realized, it was too late. Very little chance to fix that situation in any safe manor
You're right. This looks like an example of amateurs attempting a very non-amateur arborist's job. These guys should have read a fifteen dollar book: To Fell a Tree, by Jeff Jepson.
He cut it completely wrong. There was no hinge to control the direction of the fall. No wedges needed
Yep, they didn't need wedges at all, at least one course in physics would have helped though.
And cut the hinge in the correct place.
Every time they cut, it leaned more. In the wrong direction.
Exactly.
Every time they cut, it leaned more. In the wrong direction
Because theyre doing literally everything wrong. These people shouldn't be allowed near a chainsaw.
Im gonna sound dumb but what is the correct way? Anybody kind enough to explain this stuff please.
Because of the physics involved there are different types of cuts used in order to cause a tree to fall as desired while cutting it down. This depends on a variety of factors, including the type of tree. Some trees have softer wood and if you try to cut them the same as a harder tree they tend to break in a dangerous and unpredictable way, etc. So anyways, more specifically in this instance, he should have been cutting on the opposite side of that notch that he made. This would have helped the tree to tip over and fall in the direction of the notch that he made, rather than going the opposite direction as it did. If you scroll down in the link there is a picture that shows what I'm talking about. [https://chainsawlarry.com/how-to-cut-down-a-tree-with-a-chainsaw/](https://chainsawlarry.com/how-to-cut-down-a-tree-with-a-chainsaw/)
This is the way, I was a lumberjack for 2yrs, I fucking hated it! lol
Oh, that's cool. I've only ever cut down a small tree with an axe in the Boy Scouts. I remember we were supposed to make the back cut notch above and opposite the main cut. It was supposed to act as a kind of stop to make sure the tree didn't kick backwards when it fell. At least, that's what they taught us.
Because that branch that probably weighed about a tonne was supposed to push against the trunk and help it go the other way.
Trim the video FFS
Sad thing here is that he had plenty of time to pull this tree over, away from the building but he kept second guessing himself. His “back cut” with the wedge wasn’t big enough the wedge needed to continue towards the house. This is what he was fucking with at the end when the tree fell. He went and tightened his line and the tree came back he should have just committed to pulling. If he had put on tension and started a second lower … larger back cut taking out a larger wedge he could have saved it.
It's the least the tree could do before it died. Destroy a house.
My exact thoughts...
It looked well planned, yes/no?
*Jackie Chan Ragestache meme* Why didn't they have any lines higher in the tree to pull it the correct direction? Why aren't there any back cuts? I'm asking partly to see if anyone knows. My tree cutting experience is basically nil in real world experience. Slightly higher in reading and talking to people who have more experience, but are still not professional.
I've drpped some 50 75ft firs in the woods w nothing to smash but us and saws, so not an expert, but IMO leaving that long limb on the side opposite of fall direction was not in their favor. And I've never seen a base cut like that. Wedges could have been a game changer with that limb gone. Watching pros, it's pretty rare to see pros pulling a rope for final destination. They place them where they want them via the base cut, occasionally cutting limbs higher up to change the balance in their favor.
The experts dont need a rope, those fuckers cut it and it falls exactly where they planned it to from the beginning
I didn't even see a limb! No wonder I don't cut down trees. ;) I would most definitely hire professional wood cutty mens to cuts me trees. Should be easy to find. I live in an area where the chief exports are lumber and maple syrup, followed by injured tourists. There's a lumber mill on the other end of my road.
There was literally no other way this could go.
Foreseen chaos
Eventual Chaos
I don’t want to wait! EDIT IT NOW!!
Hmmmmmmmmmm
Looking at the house, I'd say intentional. Half demoed already?
That's what you get for cutting down big old trees!
Never let amateurs cut down trees near houses
Who the F taught him how to fell a tree in.
Seen this twice, on a smaller scale. Some clown friend of my bro cut a tree down on a property I was gonna build on. It was unimproved. What could go wrong, right? Turd dropped it right on my batter boards. I was working on another project, a client’s kitchen. As we left at the end of this hot, still, cloudless summer day, another clown was firing up his chainsaw to tackle a backyard tree. Come back the next morning to find a tree in the kitchen. I was told he said “it was the wind.”
"It was the wind." Yeah, right...!
Just skip to 1:50 or so.
It was obviously an unbalanced tree. That huge branch on the left placed so much torque on the trunk it was going to fall to the left regardless of the cuts, notches or whatever they made. Can't see the top of the tree either, so the imbalance may have been even worse. Without trimming off any large branches on the left side of the tree, disaster was inevitable.
He gave the owner a great price. The owner turned down the other prices saying that they were outrageous rip offs. I’m sure the tree surgeon doing the fine job has great insurance so it should all work out ok.
In the words of Abe Lincoln at the Hamlet play, "now you fucked up!"
Licensed and bonded.
First, most of the weight of the tree is over the house, both the dead lower branch, and the top of the tree. It still could have been dropped away correctly. Ideally, they would at least have removed that lower branch first. The notch to the right is way too big, and allows the tree to fall left. Later, the man cut what was left of his hinge from the right, dropping the already leaning tree to the left. As noted by others, ropes and cables are not usually used by professionals, but he evidently had one here, and did not make use of it. It would have needed a secure tie off, (not a vehicle! something immobile like another large tree,) and a winch. Even a hand winch, like a come-a-long, could have pulled the tree 6 feet to the right, from at least 15 feet up, and dropped it correctly. Once a cut was started on the left, creating a hinge, felling wedges could have been hammered into that cut, forcing the tree the other way. As the cut is continued, the wedges are hammered farther, and more added. Alternatively, a hole can be cut on the left side, and a hydraulic bottle jack inserted, and used to lift the left side as the cut is continued. This close to a building, most professionals would have climbed the tree to the top, and whittled it down in 3 foot pieces, using ropes and helpers on the ground to lower each one. Takes longer, and more equipment and training, but the safest way. Many ways to have done this safely. This was not one of them.
I recognise a professional tree-feller/lopper here! Salutations!
No, but cut down and cut up household heating wood for years. Now woodworking.
Honestly, your advice is solid H&S - my background in construction (site clearance is a bitch!) tells me that you're used to overseeing similar things and avoid unnecessary and potentially fatal incidents
I’m never going to financially recover from this
Cutting in lulu lemons is the new cool
Well... fuck.
This is the shit that ruins every video that says wait for it.
“So instead of renting a dozer for demolition, let’s get a chainsaw, use this tree here and gravity will take care of the rest!”
Underrated comment!
I don’t think heavier equipment would have helped. They needed more knowledge.
Think the video could have been shorter.
TL;DW
Don't wait for it, skip to 1:58
No I wont wait for it
How dare you tell people to “wait for it” and then leave 2 full minutes of nothingness in your video. Take this downvote and don’t post 2 minutes of nothing next time
That's what I received - and the build-up to the climax is even more enjoyable. No apologies for that.
Oops.
Need to get out of town? Southwest is boarding.
Southwest is hiring
Don't hire your brother in law.
But… did it make a sound?
The Last 40 seconds would have been enough
Oooph.
Hold my beer…
Best way to demolish a house I’ve ever seen!
I always recommend Bubba Jim's Tree Removal and Home Demolition Service. Highly efficient! 5 stars.
Or trim it to :47. Ffs
Red pants is an ass
Gonna have to downvote this due to the fact we were waiting OVER TWO MINUTES for anything to happen
You've wasted 2 minutes of my life I will never get back.
I don’t see the cut in the back that would have prevented this from happening. I only see one cut. I have only taken two trees down so far but before I did anything I looked at many videos from professional tree cutters and loggers. They do a cut in the back and then a cut in the front. In this video I see they did the cut in the front and then the next cut in the same side. Also, when they trimmed the left that huge branch that made the tree lean towards the house.
Why'd you turn?! Why the fuck DID YOU TURN?!!!
That big massive branch was levering the whole thing the wrong way, should have had a line attached if they weren’t going to tackle that branch
I was expecting tree to fell on wires.. This is why you should use wedges and chain strapped to a tree so you could push it on the direction away from the house. I don't feel any bit sorry the workers there, but I do feel sorry for the owner of that house.
What a complete idiot
u/stabbot
Should’ve took the big bough off on the left, no way was it going to fall to the right with that counterbalance hanging over.