Hinging and Wedging Again

We took down our dead blue spruce, and it required wedging, because the tree was leaning backward from the direction we wanted it to fall.

Here are the important parts of the process to note:

1. Control the saw when you start it. I like to hold it between my knees; others like to set it on the ground.

2. The first cut aims the tree. Use the line across the top of the air filter housing to line up on your target.

3. The second cut should match up with the aiming cut.

4. Bore through behind the open face to establish your hinge. Start your bore cut with the bottom portion of the bar's nose, then rotate the saw around the nose and bore through. The hinge should be up to 10% of the diameter of the tree at 4' 6" above the ground.

5. Cut out half of the back and insert a wedge.

6. Cut out the other half of the back and drive your wedge in.

7. If one wedge thickness does not tip your tree far enough, cross two wedges to gain additional lift.