We have been having some nice clear weather for the last week or so, clear and just above freezing during the day. I checked the weather and we had a winter storm warning starting today thru Thursday which involved as much as 16'' of fresh snow. So yesterday I decided since I had the day off I might as well go out and get a truckload of firewood while I can still get up the driveway. I still have enough to get through the winter but figured I'd keep ahead, since there is no such thing as too much firewood.
I've been using wood heat exclusively since we moved out here in 2003, and I have cut countless cords of wood. I try to be as careful as possible and have the utmost respect for chainsaws and falling trees...or so I thought. When felling a tree I always make sure I have a route to safety, hearing protection (to save what little hearing is left) and usually eyewear.
I had the first two trees down and dragged them out of the woods along the road. Bucked them up and split them, then stacked them in the pickup. I had just enough room for one more small tree, so I looked around and found a nice candidate. about 30 feet tall but only 14'' at the butt and I decided that it could fall easily in the direction of the road, even without wedges.
I found my safe spot, next to a medium live hemlock about 10' away and proceeded to make my cuts in the dead standing tree. All was well and the tree began to tip in the right direction. I pulled the saw and turned around to make my way to the "safe" location behind me. A small stumble caused me to take an extra large step to catch my balance, when I did I turned to watch the falling tree, only to see the top 6' of the tree stab into the ground only inches from my feet. The momentum slammed the log into my chest and knocked me back a step, but did no damage.
Unharmed, but with a serious butt pucker, I stood there for a minute just looking at the "widowmaker" that had tried to live up to its namesake. A quick prayer of thanks and I proceeded to pull out the log (which went exactly where I wanted it) and top off the truck with firewood.
I guess the moral of the story is never assume you are safe, we always think bad things happen to "other" people, never to us. Had it not been for that small stumble, the story might have ended differently. Be safe out there guys, pay attention, and remember that no amount of "experience" can keep you from making that one mistake.
Excuse me while I go to Amazon to buy a hardhat.
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