Cutting down big tree with axe – how to

I am cutting down a dying spruce tree. Open the full video description for more information.

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Date: 18-11-2019 to 22-11-2019

Day: 8°C (46.4°F)
Night: 4°C (39.2°F)

Location: Denmark.

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First time I try this technique and in general first time I cut this size tree with an axe. Worked out alright but in case of a next time will I do a few things different. To name a few will I place the wedges further away from the center of the stump and I will cut the notches a bit narrower.

It is safest to keep clear from where the tree is suppose to fall at all times and to use a rope that is a lot longer than the tree, especially if you want to pull the tree into falling towards you like I am doing it in this case.

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A few questions:

1. Why remove the bark?
Tre bark offen collect dirt and it can dull the cutting edge… Removing the bark can be time well spend – though not a big deal.

2. What axes are you using?
Homemade – designs dating back to the viking age. The designs is still common today here in Scandinavia. The cutting edges is recycled leaf springs and the handles are ash from Denmark.

3. Why use rope?
It gives you a lot of control. The higher up the tree you get the rope the more leverage you get. You don’t need to use a rope, but it is very useful especially in cases like this, with a tree leaning in the wrong direction. You can in some cases throw or shoot the rope up in a tree – in this case did I just free climb to the top and attaching the rope.

4. Why cut down the tree? And what to turn the wood into?
Safety – I will be building a log cabin close by. Sooner or later will the tree fall in a storm and damage the cabin or people. The tree will just be processed into firewood.

5. Why not use a bigger axe?
I don’t own one.

6. Is it tree sap collecting on the stump while you’re chopping?
No – just rain water.

7. How long did it take to cut down the tree?
About 6 hours – give or take.

8. How offen did you resharpen the axes?
One time.

9. Why write 78?
The tree is 78 years old – each growth ring is one year.

10. Why cut 3 notches and not just 2?
Leaving a narrow wall between the two small notches keeps the tree stable – when you are satisfied with how deep you have cut the notches do you remove the wall and the tree falls. You don’t have that kind of control with only two notches – you risk that the tree falls before the second notch is cut deep enough and that will make the tree trunk split (damage the wood and maybe hit/hurt the person cutting down the tree).

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Video gear: Canon EOS RP, Canon 50 1.8, Røde videomicpro+, Zoom h2n, iMovie.

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