Tips and Hints for the Handyman
Felling a Tree
Try to work with the natural weight & lean of the tree. Always have an escape route, once the tree is falling, leave the area...injuries have occurred where the trunk has bounced back & unstable branches have fallen onto the operator.
Cut a scarf aligned to the direction of where you want to fell the tree. The depth of the scarf should be approximately 1/3 the diameter of the tree.
Cut 2 small slots, slightly deeper than the bark at this scarf. This may prevent bark tearing/holding onto the stump & splintering when the tree falls.
The back cut should be slightly higher than the bottom of the scarf, do not cut through to the scarf, leave a section called the hinge, this is what the tree pivots on... it is the controlling wood, without it the tree can fall anywhere. The back cut is level, flat, like the horizon. For some bizaar reason people do this angled back cut thing ... do not do it, it's a false sense of security covered in this article at TreeZines on why angled back cuts are dangerous..
We always recommend the use of a directional pull line and also backing up with wedges.
Pruning
Always cut one branch back to another. Do not leave stubs. watch the angle of your cut & don't cut off the branch collar.
Ladders
Always secure ladder to tree, remember weight & loading changes as you remove wood & the ladder may slip. Preferably have someone at the bottom of the ladder to steady & secure it. Try to secure yourself to the tree, chances are the ladder will fall before the tree does!
Working off ladders is also pretty much forbidden these days with OHS rules. When working off a ladder you must maintain 3 points of contact. That is say, two feet and one hand. You wont see too many pictures of guys up A-Frame ladders with a hedge trimmer anymore. Also I have personally seen many "broken bone and injured customers" where they have fallen, doesn't even have to be that high, you can break you back or neck easily. The days of trimming 10' high hedges on ladders are gone, the days of working on roofs especially 2 story are gone. Think very carefully about using ladders other than as an access tool to get into a tree or on a roof.
Knots, Ropes & Dynamic Forces
Be aware of moving weight. Depending on the type of rigging technique used loading on ropes, knots & trees can easily exceed 10 times the weight of the piece being cut off! This is a highly technical precise science & best left to the experts.
Be careful!