So many do-it-yourselfers get very excited about how simple and quick a task will be accomplished, because they haven't mentally rehearsed each of the ways it could go wrong, in an instant. Though an afternoon (or a couple) spent, carefully preparing for the actual cut, may seem like a lot of wasted time, healing broken bones and torn organs, takes a lot longer, and so does completing your funeral.

@terryhale9006

4 ай бұрын

Exactly, JP. I hope to reach a few of those who might not consider the danger.

Yeah Terry, you’re back! Hope all’s well with you. Your slow concise methodical way of speaking at base conveys a crucial message on how to approach dangerous situations before you even get to the said subject. I appreciate that

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

Thanks, Jerry. (I owe viewers a video about my serious screw-up in July 2023.)

My neighbor used a ladder to climb up into a large maple tree and straddling a branch, sever said large branch with his chainsaw. The branch then proceded to fall and stike his ladder knocking it from the tree (as well as destroying it) leaving him some 20 feet up in the tree on the branch he decided to sit on to make his cut. With no way to climb down the large tree, he was left to sit there several hours until I came home. I now get paid to do the tree care work. Very informative as well as entertaining video Terry Hale. Thank you.

@terryhale9006

2 ай бұрын

Ooooh. That was a harsh lesson. Thanks for sharing.

Absolute gold, like all your videos. Only a true sage could reveal the secrets of the Way of the Crafty Branch.

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

Thanks, Mr. Schmidt. Word is they've put a hit out on me.

terry knocks it out of the park once again. a belated happy new year to terry and friends!

@terryhale9006

4 ай бұрын

Thanks, Python! And a happy new year to you, too!

After explaining various dangers, I cracked up when he reappeared with a band aid on his forehead. 😅

@gunterbecker8528

6 сағат бұрын

Cracked up mate is where some of us end up if not taken seriously 🤪😠

I'm glad to see a new video! I'm a subscriber and really enjoy your videos. 78% of tree cutting fatalities are caused by falling limbs. Most of these deaths are to armatures, often on ladders. Deaths to professionals are usually from falling out of the tree.

Mr. Hale, I am grateful for your generously-shared tree wisdom throughout the years. Your graphics, explanations, logic, and humor remain top-notch. I'm sure you have not only saved lives, but you have also empowered many to accomplish more than they would have thought possible. That's certainly been true for me. I'm still standing, but my formerly 35' tree is not. 😁 I pray this message finds you well. 🙏

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

Thank, Jeff. Preventing injuries and potentially saving lives is what motivates me. It saddens me that the people getting injured are not the ones who would consider researching their planned actions before acting on their plans. "What could go wrong?"

Outstanding video thank you for posting. I learn lots of things watching this video. You’re very good at conveying the safe way are working with chainsaw ladders and situation’s.

@terryhale9006

4 ай бұрын

Thanks, Raymond.

So happy to see you back with another great video

Brilliant and funny. This is going to feature in my safety training for hurricane cleanup crews.

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

Oh man! My timing is off. My next video about my major screw-up on July 8, 2023 should absolutely be shared with your crews. I will have to hurry up and get it done.

If I use a ladder it's only to get up into the tree, and I then use my belt harness & lanyard to loop around the tree truck so I'm stable and can have both hands free for my chainsaw. Good rule of thumb is to be above the limbs you are cutting rather than below. For a 'branchy' tree, I'll cut the lower branches first, leaving a foot or so of stub still attached to the tree to stand on, and work my way up. Once the top-most branches are trimmed, I'll work my way back down trimming the remaining branch stubs back to the trunk. Leaning your body away from the tree while wearing a harness feels super freaky, but it gives you the most stability when using a chainsaw.

@gunterbecker8528

6 сағат бұрын

U taking it to the next level were many of us don't go !

It's been a long time, nice to see you again.

Before I tried pruning a tree from a ladder with a chain saw, I would have thought this overkill with safety. Having had the exact thing happen as described I realized this is an excellent video. Lucky I’m here to view it.

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

Sorry to hear you had a close call. I'll hope you avoided any serious injuries.

@samfeldman1508

3 ай бұрын

@@terryhale9006 thanks. I did. I’m pretty sure I used a lifetime of luck up. I did soil myself but otherwise nothing injured but my pride. Haven’t tried again since then. I may be dumb, but not stupid.

You sir, are certainly one of my favorite people in the whole world. Much love.

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

Thanks, Robert.

I’ll admit I have done multiple cuts with a ladder and pole chainsaw. I do a phased cut, where I’m leaned relatively closed to the branch that I’m cutting. I cut coming up from the bottom, right until I see and feel the pinch of the pole saw starting to happen. I then start to cut top down up to a point. I come down and reposition the ladder to where the main trunk is between me and the branch I’m cutting. I then finish the cut, and the branch falls straight down, as opposed to doing any kind of swing. It’s my poor man’s mock version of the face cut that I know arborists use in cutting that upside down Humboldt style of cutting. I know it’s still risky, and know many things can happen, but I’m not paying someone to cut branches that are 15 feet high. The trees I contend with are 25 to 35 footers in Central Texas. Not the behemoths people in the Northwest and Northeast have to contend with. I wouldn’t even remotely kid myself in trying to prune those types of branches. I say this, as I do think I’m being as safe and intelligent with a ladder and pole saw, as I reasonably can. I have helped elderly neighbors with downed branches and trees with multiple years of freezes and tornadoes knocking over trees. My pruning lead to zero downed trees on my property from the recent tornadoes. I’m doing something somewhat right, when I might be quite literally one of the few people in my neighborhood who hasn’t had a downed tree in the last three year period. Again, I readily admit I know I’m taking risks, but I’m a critical thinker, even if I’m a very green with chainsaws and 2-cycle equipment in general.

Thanks for the video, it is amazing, you did a heap of work to produce it.

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

I appreciate you recognizing the effort. Thanks.

Terry your videos are top notch ! I’ve learned so much from you !! Thank you !!

@terryhale9006

4 ай бұрын

Kind of you to say. Thanks!

Oddly coincidental timing on this as I was probably setting up my ladder against a tree I plan to climb and fell incrementally at the same hour you uploaded this. Love your videos.... learned a lot

@terryhale9006

4 ай бұрын

Wow! What a coincidence.

Great advice that I've not heard elsewhere. I have a large, dead pine tree that needs to come down. I've cut down the lower branches with a pole pruner and was considering getting a few more with a ladder. Not anymore!

I’m an arborist so ladders are seldom used. When It is necessary I fasten the ladder to the tree and always use a lanyard but usually it’s just to facilitate getting up a difficult tree…no cutting! But their will always be dummy’s who insist on saving a few bucks only to lose it by a hospital bill.

Good video Sir. I have a small tree business myself and tend to make quite a few limb cuts off a ladder. In an effort to help with additional safety information, I will interject my two cents for what it is worth. First off I would only consider working off a sturdy ladder like a 1A, anything less would be asking for trouble. (Please don't take offense, but the ladder you used in this video belongs in the trash.) Your recommendation for securing the ladder to the tree is good. You need the friction with the raps around the stem for rotational stability. Second, I use and highly recommend a work positioning harness with a lanyard at the very least. That way you can use both of your hands on the saw and still have three points of contact. I add a life line rescue rope with a descent devise secured to the stem of the tree. So, in the event of a mishap with the cut limb compromising my ladder in anyway I will be able to self rescue safely by lower myself out of the tree. Using all your PPE equipment is key, helmet, eye, ear, cut resistant trousers, gloves, a cell phone, ect... Don't skimp on this part. And you are so right with the bull rope and tag lines. I use ropes to control the cut pieces where I can. It might take a few more minutes for the prep work, but the increase in the safety factor can not be underestimated or understated. Have a great day, work safe and thank you for all the work that you put into this video.

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

David, you are completely correct throughout. That particular ladder should have been tossed twenty years ago. I rarely use it and only did in this case because I was too lazy to use one of my bigger, heavier ladders to make the video shots. I hope other viewers read your comments. Thanks!

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience!

Education. Fear, Trauma. One package. Well done. 👍

I thoroughly enjoyed your use of props and adjectives in this one. Thank you, Terry

YES! So excited to see the next episode.

@terryhale9006

4 ай бұрын

LOL!

This is your best video ever! thanks so much, Terry.

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

Nice of you to say. Thanks, Jim.

Somehow my notifications didn't work to let me know you released a new video. I am happy to have it suggested in my feed. Good video. I have used a ladder when other options weren't available. One a friend wanted to support my ladder as it tipped a bit. He did so, but the chainsaw came down near him when the limb cut all the way through. He quit holding the ladder for me, for which I was relieved of him bring out of the danger zone. Close call that is not forgotten. Thank you, Terry.

U r an encyclopaedia to human (kindness) kind !

Great to see you back, sir! I will plan to watch the whole thing when I get a chance.

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Happy to see you back. This was a very informative message, complete with great humor too!

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

Thanks much, Harv!

Extremely detailed and thorough as always. Thank you Terry. Fantastic info.

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

Thank you, David,

Your videos were so helpful to me when I started trying to do some of the things you've advised your viewers on. It's very nice to see another such video after so long. Thank you!

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

Thanks, Patrick. I owe a video on why it's been so long.

Any accident involving a chainsaw can be serious. I have a nice scar on a cheek from a wedge that flew like a rocket when struck. It is my red badge of chainsaw courage. My jaw was painful for a full year. Then working alone trying to prevent the tree from falling onto a building with blood streaming from my face. Such fun. Chainsaw= extreme danger. Good video , No don't use ladder. A friend spent a year recovering from a chainsaw ladder incident. Then he died being lifted with a tractor bucket.

@terryhale9006

4 ай бұрын

Sorry about your friend. He missed the writing on the wall.

Very timely. I have a large oak tree that should be limbed to enable directional falling. I have been thinking about this for 2 years. Yes two years! I had only thought of half the potential problems and half those that I had thought of I had come up with an improper solution. You should mention that if someone insists on are doing this, they should have one or more competent helpers observing from a safe distance. Once ladders, limbs, and tree limbs, etc. stop moving they can help you down or call 911. Family 'joke' is to have someone stand well back, i.e. 100 feet, and dial '91' into your phone before the cutter starts. As someone mentioned below, using a climbing harness or roofing harness to attach a safety rope will work if you have helpers/witnesses in attendance. Also there are name brand small electric saws, i.e. Dewalt 12 inch or Makita 10 inch, that can be used one handed. Probably(?) a better choice than a no-name saw. Obviously I need to take another couple of years to think about my tree .

@terryhale9006

4 ай бұрын

I love the 91 idea!

so happy to hear your content,,!

informative and HILARIOUS!

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

🙂 Thanks!

Found myself in the very predicament two days ago. A ladder and a saw. With my PhD in utube I was able to successfully cut down a tree away from its lean and building, short of wires across the street without hitting the adjacent trees and without getting hurt. Thank you.

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

Nice! Confidence. I've learned not to let it overpower caution on the next similar job. Video on that matter to follow in a month or two.

Can't wait for that next video!

Saturday afternoon in the ER their bread and butter profit is repairing people hurt in ladder accidents. You are right on with tying the top of the ladder to the tree. I was once saved by doing this when a limb swung down and kicked the ladder base to the side. I hung on like a monkey and climber safely down. Great ladder advice!

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

Glad to hear of your outcome. I'm afraid I've reached the age and weight where even the adrenaline wouldn't be sufficient for me to hang on.

Thank you for true realistically and clever way of working with a chainsaw

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

Thanks, Mister Tungo.

Good stuff. Ive cut from a ladder. But, i was in a harness, roped into the tree and the ladder was secured at the top to the tree. I also put a lot of thought into my cuts. So, i basically used the ladder as a shortcut into the tree. Not the safest, but not the dumbest either. Seeing people just grab a ladder and a chainsaw and head into the backyard gives me the willies.

@terryhale9006

4 ай бұрын

I love the secure feeling I get from my harness, Lanyard and SRT.

Great video. I tell my sons to never, ever ever use a chainsaw on a ladder. Just watch a few YT videos - the cut limb almost always knocks the ladder aside.

Its great to see you, Terry! I hope you're doing well. I'll watch the video tomorrow morning during my morning coffee. Its a holiday tomorrow (Feb 19) in Canada as well.

@terryhale9006

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for your well wishes, James. I'll hope you can enjoy the video.

Excellent treatment, like all of your videos. I discovered a few of these techniques on my own. Whenever I consider using a chainsaw from a ladder, I first stop and ask is there any other possible way to achieve the goal.

Thanks for the awsome video terry

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

Thanks much, David.

Just fantastic!

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

Thanks, William!

Hilarious video! Well done!

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

Thanks, Rick! 🙂

Thank you for the video. Very informative. Im always afraid when i have to climb the ladder to cut big branches.

Branch: I've been training my whole life for this very moment

@terryhale9006

4 ай бұрын

Unfortunately, it's more a matter of mental preparation rather than physical training.

I can’t fathom how many lives you have saved

@terryhale9006

4 ай бұрын

I'm sure hoping for that result.

For me, a ladder, tree, and chainsaw equals the branch getting mad and knocking me off the ladder everytime. I gave it up.

Just watched a video entitled *"Man goes flying off a ladder"* that demonstrates exactly what you're saying.

Thanks Terry, though a little late for me, I was lucky enough to back up my ladder with a climbing harness roped to a nearby tree and a helper standing by. The helper was essential as I ended up upside-down in the harness as it slipped slightly.

@terryhale9006

4 ай бұрын

Oh &(*^#% !!! Glad you had a helper standing by!

@Toca_waffle843

4 ай бұрын

not my proudest moment@@terryhale9006

This is hilarious and informative. The ever increasing injuries make a nice point

@terryhale9006

4 ай бұрын

Thanks, E.

I'm only 2 minutes in and I'm captivated

This is very well thought out, and presented. Thank you. Chainsaw Tetherball, should be a band name.

@terryhale9006

4 ай бұрын

For the kids in the really tough school.

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

Re-reading your post, I think that would be an incredible band name. What images it could bring to mind!

All the ladder work I've done was with a hand saw and you still have to take care. One time my ladder went sideways toward a sturdy 6' fence and i had to step off the ladder to avoid being thrown into the fence. My feet were about 8' off the ground. Fortunately i managed to land on both feet, squat and then roll and avoid injury. Too bad i didn't think to have been recording it so there'd be a video of how to fall off of a ladder!

Instant Hale classic.

Damn those ninja branches!!! Have seen many videos of homeowners with a chainsaw on a ladder. Most end quite badly. Seen a few 20-30 foot freefalls with guys still hanging on to a running saw most of the way down before they figure out that they should let it go.

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

I've probably seen quite a few of those same videos and they give me a real sinking feeling. A real motivating factor for my video making.

Ps - the injury props were awesome!!!

My only addition to this wonderful physics lesson would be the possibility of using a cheap climbing harness to tie a safety line to, and ways to connect it to that safety line, that would allow you to lower yourself to the ground, after your ladder has been kicked out from under you. I bought one for a few dollars, for the grand kids to ride down a zip line, strung between trees. So much better than trying to tie a rope around yourself.

@terryhale9006

4 ай бұрын

Absolutely! Trust the tree, not the ladder.

Quick ladder tip, if you have a friend with you, have them stand on the bottom rung. This gives it more stability, even more so if they are heavier than you.

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

Definitely true, but I am not sure I would feel right about asking them to stand directly in the danger zone.

@abiwenwodon8655

3 ай бұрын

@@terryhale9006 I wouldn't either, but just a general tip if you're cleaning gutters or changing a light.

31:35 That are the pros and cons of static and dynamic ropes?

❤❤❤

what are your thoughts of using a tree climber tree stand to cut branches off of trees?

@terryhale9006

4 ай бұрын

I haven't any experience with tree climber tree stands. I have heard of two hunters who died when they fell from their stands, had their falls arrested by their safety harnesses, but couldn't escape from their harnesses. Just guessing, I'd expect them to be better than ladders, but not as good as a full climbing arborist's kit.

@ranmangolf

4 ай бұрын

@@terryhale9006 We may have heard of some of the same stories of hunters being killed from faulty harnesses or the lack therof in tree stands. When I hunted in the 1980s/90s, the hunting harnesses were a dangerous joke. They've improved over the years but if used incorrectly, they too can be fatal. I think you are correct that tree climber stands fall in between ladders and arborist's kit. I appreciate your tips and have experienced some of the things you said, such as cutting a medium sized limb (from a tree stand). But the beech tree limb was long which significantly added to the weight. The limb hits the ground, and springs at me like a large torpedo. Fortunately, it only grazed me, but the impact that gave me was a reminder of what can go wrong. Great video.

I wished I had seen this video 15 years ago!

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

I assume there is a cringe-worthy story there. Sorry that happened.

Hi,no mention of,long manual pole prunner.

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

Good point. Definitely worthwhile if within reach.

I use an experienced tree climber for any tree task that I can’t accomplish from the ground. He told me about an acquaintance who needed a large branch removed. He quoted him $300 for the task. The acquaintance thought it was too costly. Instead, he used a ladder to cut it down himself. Unfortunately, the branch swung down and knocked him and the ladder. He died from the fall.

@terryhale9006

4 ай бұрын

A really sad attempt to save money. Truly tragic.

@Awyzemanoncesaid

4 ай бұрын

Most tradesman have similar stories to dissuade potential customers from doing it themselves. I know several experienced cutters killed doing what they had done for years. Dangerous work for sure.

It never goes well when you mix the 2.

Next you need to do a video on how to play Russian Roulette.

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

LOL

If using a hammer head on your throw line be aware of what goes up must come down, I would hate to get beaned in the melon with a claw hammer.😉

Pro you are going to get somebody just off a ladder

*promosm* 🙌

With all respect: I would never teach people to use ladder. You are now responsible to expand using it. To my opinion video should have only one title clip: "Never use ladder". There are too many videos on accidents. It is obligatory to order basket elevator and pay for health.

Episode 2, for complete idiots: "Chainsaws and Step Ladders On Uneven Ground".

@bobbelsekwol

3 ай бұрын

Episode 3, using a blunt chainsaw on a ladder using roller skates and boxing gloves, blindfolded. Whilst wife or helper watches directly underneath. I fear the DIYer wouldn't watch this as they know better.

Thanks for the great video! I wish I'd have seen this 45 years ago. I can personally attest to almost all the things that can happen from cutting tree limbs from a ladder. We still have the ladder that is bent sideways. Fortunately, I survived and learned valuable lessons.

@terryhale9006

4 ай бұрын

You probably noticed that my smaller ladder is also bent about 2 feet from the top. I had it leaning against the barn and managed to back into it with my pickup. I'm too cheap to scrap it, but use it cautiously.

Hi,no mention of,long manual pole prunner.

@terryhale9006

3 ай бұрын

Yep. An oversight.