I participated in the three day Game Of Logging course in Oakville, emphasizing two days of tree felling technique and one day of yarding and bucking.

It was a great learning experience and provided a good foundation for dealing with trees on my property, plus gave a healthy respect for how to be safe around it all. Of course my plans are to maintain and expand the health of my forest, not cut it all down. However, part of forest stewardship includes thinning trees so that the healthiest can survive. And removing the occasional blow down or fallen branch is a natural part of living in a forest. Plus I will be thinning for view on one side and completely opening a clearing on a south side of the house location for solar exposure, so this is all good stuff to know. I’ll hire the pros where appropriate, but it’s very helpful and hands-on to be able fell and buck trees with a good degree of safety and accuracy.

Three days out in the woods of Oakville, learning about tree felling, bucking, and yarding with a great teacher and a fun group… Northwest Natural Resource Group organized the onsite, hands-on course for folks in the Northwest who wanted to learn how to properly wield a chainsaw to cut and remove large trees. The Game of Logging delivered! Taught by a chainsaw logger maestro, it was two solid days of learning chainsaw safety and tree felling (cutting) techniques, followed by one day of bucking (cutting to size) and yarding (removing and transporting).

Each day started with an outdoor classroom talk and hands-on discussion about chainsaw safety, technique, and maintenance. Then we suited up with helmets, face/eye protection, ear protection, gloves, and chainsaw safety chaps, and we walked into the woods of adjoining Wild Thyme Farm. Wild Thyme’s owner wanted to harvest some older red alder that was peaking in its productivity and life expectancy. He provided the trees and we provided the very willing student labor. Fortunately, we completely honed in on red alder, which is actually the most dangerous tree to fell due to its tendency to “barber chair” or splinter forcefully in dangerous directions if not properly handled throughout. Good to learn on the hard stuff, since most other trees are more straight forward to cut.

After class, there was a camp fire, hanging out, going into town for dinner, exploring Wild Thyme, or just reading in the tent. Good stuff, and lots learned for safely felling trees.

Demonstrating proper cuts for tree felling