Finally got a clean removal on a pin oak with a heavy lean

I've seen too many crews rush the face cut on a leaning tree, especially pin oaks. They'll just guess the angle and end up with a barber chair or a nasty split. Last Tuesday in Springfield, I took an extra ten minutes to measure the lean with a plumb bob and set my hinge exactly one inch thick. The whole thing went over like it was on a hinge, no drama. What's your go-to method for setting up on a bad lean?

4 comments

4 Comments

stella11127d agoMost Upvoted

You used a plumb bob on a Tuesday job? Most guys I know wouldn't even own one, let alone take the time to set it up. That's some serious old-school precision right there. I usually just eyeball it with my saw bar, but you've got me second-guessing my whole method. A clean drop on a heavy lean is worth every extra minute.

the_jessica27d ago

My buddy skipped the plumb bob once, tree went through his garage lol.

anthony_jackson3127d ago

A plumb bob is great, but @stella111, you can get the same precision just by hanging your saw from a branch.

david_walker9727d ago

Honestly, my go-to method is just hoping I remembered to buy enough beer for after?