My old boss in Portland said to always notch a heavy limb on the bottom first, and I finally saw why when a 14-inch oak branch barber-chaired on me last Tuesday.

He argued it controls the split better than a top cut, and after that close call where the trunk ripped up about 3 feet, I'm never ignoring that advice again, so what's your number one rule for a tricky backcut?

4 comments

4 Comments

cora8132mo ago

That barber chair story, yeah. My rule? Watch the hinge.

joseph_green132mo ago

Totally! @cora813, I used to think the opposite.

miles_chen2mo ago

My last barber used a hinge so loose I counted three distinct wobbles. I just sat there white knuckling the armrests, trying to make small talk about the weather.

wade_dixon22d ago

Hold up, though. I mean, the hinge being tight is almost worse in my book. If it's stiff you get that jolt every time they lean you back, like the whole chair is gonna snap. Had a barber once with a brand new chair, hinge was so tight it squeaked the whole time. At least with a loose one you know it's been broken in, right? Idk, maybe it's just me but I actually prefer watching the floor mount. If that base is bolted down solid, the hinge can do whatever it wants.