The Good Woodcutter's Guide: Chain Saws, Woodlots, and Portable Sawmills

by Dave Johnson

A good woodcutter . . .. . . uses the best equipment, and works safely. A good woodcutter works responsibly to get the best yield from the woodlot. A good woodcutter loves the forest and manages it... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1890132152
• ISBN13: 9781890132156
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing Company
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Topical Book

Mr. Johnson writes from the viewpoint of a Wisconsin pulpwood cutter, but his chapters are applicable to most anywhere on the North American subcontinent. I would have liked to have seen more material on large-girth trees, especially second generation trees common to New England. His discussion of Swedish logging techniques is excellent, and conceptualized a growing trend towards ecologically sensible timber harvesting. The chapter on tree-felling, especially his cutting in a pivot method (with top of bar doing the cutting) is contrary to what most woodcutters have been taught and provocative. His chapter on which saw to buy (Yes, I have a Husqvarna, Dave!!!) was also compelling. It's too bad American companies let themselves get trashed by Stihl and Husky - I have a nice 1989 McCulloch Titan 50 and will put that up against any European saw, but cannot get parts for it anymore. Excellent discussion of the pros and cons of portable sawmills. Since I was considering the purchase of one, he pointed out several factors to consider that I had not thought of previously. This was a key reason I bought this book. I would like to see a complete book on portable sawmilling that covers all aspects of it. All in all a superb book for a beginner, and a good refresher for an experienced woodcutter like me with over 20 years experience.

From The Wisconsin State Journal 15 Nov.1998

IT'S ALL ABOUT CUTTING WOOD By George Hesselberg "Every once in awhile you get a tip about life that is so logical that you wonder why you didn't think of it. Dave Johnson's The Good Woodcutter's Guide happens to be full of these tips.Johnson cuts a lot of wood and no corners.He and his wife Marcia run a 400 acre tree farm [in central Wisconsin]----. This book---is for the novice woodcutter and the experienced woodlot manager alike.It covers everything from how to buy a chainsaw to the economics of running your own portable sawmill. All of this is well written in a sparse, Wisconsin sort of way.----- The fun parts are where Johnson explains what he has done right and wrong in running a tree farm, cutting wood or, just picking out clothes to work in. Johnson's advice is understated and occasionally, unintentionally [I assume] amusing and he has a way with anecdotes that steer explanations.----- This book is full of bonuses-----.

Highly recommended for anyone who owns or uses a chain saw

This well-written, humorous and truly unique book addresses the issues of productive, safe woods work and chain saw use from an accessible and delightful perspective. In that respect, it is unlike any other book on the subject that I have seen. Admittedly, there aren't many others to choose from. The author, Dave Johnson, describes how he and his wife make their living from their own 500-acre woodlot by doing most of the work themselves. In the process, he explains clearly--and when necessary, in great detail--issues as diverse as properly sharpening a saw chain, starting a saw, felling a tree or choosing the best work clothes. The entire text is laced with a mixture of humorous and profound observations about what the author sees as the true nature of work, workers, trees, machines and a whole lot more. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who owns or uses a chain saw.