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That old timer in Columbus was right about leaving the limbs on
Ngl, I used to strip every branch off right after cutting just to make the cleanup look tidy on the truck. This retired climber named Walt watched me do it on a removal in Columbus and told me to leave the big stuff attached until I got the log to the curb. He said it keeps the balance better and saves your back when rolling pieces. Tried it on the next two oaks and honestly the difference was night and day, no more fighting the wood all over the lot. Anyone else stuck in the habit of over-trimming before they move the logs?
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claire_butler16d ago
Man, that Walt guy knew what he was talking about. I had the same habit for years, cutting everything down to the trunk right where it fell. But keeping a few limbs on gives you handles and keeps the log from rolling back on you when you're pushing it downhill. I started leaving the top on until I got near the chipper and my shoulders thanked me for it.
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val1726d ago
That trick with the top totally changes how the tree sits on the ground too. Once you cut the trunk free, all that weight up top wants to flip the log over, and if you've already bucked it into rounds they scatter downhill and you're chasing pieces. Leaving the top on keeps tension in the wood so it fights the roll instead of helping it. I figured that out the hard way after a round caught me in the shin on a slope.
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