A handle-wedge worked well, offering plenty of lift to lure the tree to the dirt. While somewhat less sturdy than aluminum or plastic wedges, making and using homemade felling wedges work excellent and can just be left in the woods once their useful life has ended.
Wedges aid in guiding the way of trees falling even when they are slanting the wrong way.
Wedges are crafted to do two things: (1) keep your chain and bar from getting pinched when doing the felling cut (back cut); and (2), slant the tree over in the direction you want it to fall. You are attempting to move the tree’s center of gravity.
How Felling Wedges Work
Wooden splitting wedge
How it works: the foot of the tree is raised one inch when the wedge is hammered all the way into the back cut so that it is even with the tree. But the top of the tree goes much further. Depending on the height and diameter of the tree, the tree top can go several feet, altering the tree’s center of gravity.
You will need several wedges to get the job completed. For littler trees, one may be enough, but for larger trees, you could need four. The more wedges you use, the better the leverage to tip the tree over.
Here is the method most arborists use:
First, cut the notch as usual, with the notch face facing in the wanted direction of tree fall. Then begin the felling cut and end when there is just enough room in the back cut to put a wedge without it touching your chain. Position the wedge so that it goes in the direction you want the tree to fall.
Slice a little more into the tree (without finishing the felling cut) and then halt to drive a second wedge two to six inches away from the first. Hit the second wedge in with your ax until it is taut. The first wedge needs to be done the same way.
Continue this technique of alternating slicing into the tree and pounding in the wedges, always being cautious to preserve your hinge. If the tree doesn’t begin to fall by the time you have finished the felling cut, use a saw to continue beating in the wedges. If you feel like this is too much to take on yourself, contact Orchard Park Tree Service and we will provide the assistance you need.
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