Paul Mc Cann wrote:

One doesn't actually form a hinge when dropping a tree. The notch is cut
in one side which pre-disposes the tree to fall in that direction. When
one has cut sufficiently through from the other side. the hinge is
formed by the tree falling towards the space vacated by the wedge.

Hmmm, the hinge is formed by the bit you don't cut right through.


Removing a section of the first trunk will have a similar effect when
cutting the remaining trunks. The weakness caused by the section removed
will cause the cluster to fall to that side, thus forming the hinge.
Everything of course is dependant on the actual circumstances. Without
pictures it is well nigh impossible to give proper assistance

On closer inspection I decided that very low down the trunks were
actually merged into one trunk so I went for conventional felling on
that basis.


If you have no experience of doing this then perhaps you should start
with something easier. What you wish to do really is not that
complicated in the right hands.

I have started with easier trees, this is about the tenth (or more)
big Leylandii we have felled.

As I said above I felled it as a single trunk in the end. I cut the
notch (not perfectly looking at the trunk afterwards) and then the
felling cut until there was a bit more wood left than I would normally
leave. I then retreated to a safe distance and got my assistant
(wife) to pull a little bit harder on the guiding rope with the
tractor. Result - perfection! The tree dropped just about exactly
where we intended it to, it had to be pretty accurate to miss trees we
want to preserve on either side. The bottom of the trunk remained
resting on the stump after felling.


Reading through this thread I really think you would be advised to get a
third party to deal with it. The trees probably have to be taken down in
sections, which is always recommended anyway.

Leylandii would be difficult to drop in sections, the limbs often fall
vertically when you cut them which is OK for smallish bits at the
bottom but would be difficult if you're up the tree.


By the way I measured the tree after felling, the trunk was 18" in
diameter where I cut it and the tree was just over 50ft high. We have
one other just about as big to fell and lots of smaller ones too.

--
Chris Green