Patandsam wrote:There are some very rude people on this forum. I doubt you use words like banal and incompetent when you are not hidden behind a keyboard on a computer and talking face to face. We are probably old enough to be your parents so show some respect for your elders. If you cannot be polite then kindly keep your thoughts to yourself.
We dont have any wedges but we do have a couple of hand axes lying around somewhere so we will try those instead and try to hammer them in to open up the cut and free the saw. Thanks for that, good idea. I see we are not the only ones to have had this happen, perhaps we are the only ones big enough to admit we are not perfect and ask for advice.
Patricia and Samantha -The 'Chaps'
Incompetent - not having or showing the necessary skills to do something successfully. I think that very much describes you in this situation.
The term elder doesn't just mean older, in many cultures it means wiser too - someone having wisdom accumulated through many years experience. You may be older than some here but your posts show a lack of knowledge and for whatever reason a disinclination on your part to act on the good advice that's been offered. One might suggest you're not going the right way to earn our respect. You certainly don't have a right to 'respect' just because of your age, whatever it might be.
Hand axes used as wedges - they're metal so you run the same risks as using metal wedges. Also, axes aren't usually designed for being struck on the poll (the rearmost part of the head) - it could split or break at the eye as a result. Axes and mauls that are meant to be used in that way have a much bigger poll.
I'll admit I've had tree fells not go as I intended. The difference is that I've had the training to know how to handle the situation and the equipment to be able to sort it out there and then. You also learn that having started a fell, you don't just leave it with a cut half way through. The tree's stabilty has been seriously compromised by what you've done so far and you've created a hazard. It could move or fall with little warning. I urge you to seek professional help (get someone in) to bring the tree down safely and quickly.