I finally cut my first osage tree today,
It split when I was cutting it and I brought home the log and split into a few staves and sealed the ends. I have to go back later and get the rest it got dark on me, still two or three logs in it and a couple more decent trees that I can cut.

Is there a trick to felling this stuff without it splitting like it did or was it just this one. It had a lot of stress on it as it was leaning.  The others are the same way.

Cut into the tree on the under side of the leaners about 1/4 of its diameter. Then cut on the top side trying to meet the other cut you made. When your almost to the other cut the tree will fall and the other cut will make it pop off and not split.

Some cut a "V" notch on the under side but I find it easier with just a single cut.

Leaner trees tend to twist when drying, but you can usually still work with them. Try and mark the under side and top of your log so you know which side of the tree it came from when you split it and store your staves for curing. Try and slit them so you can keep the top stave seperate from the bottom. My bet is the top side staves make better bows with less string follow.

Leaving the logs whole to dry may eliminate some of the twist from leaners.

Trees leaning more than 5 degrees may contain "reaction wood". Check out Dean Torges' article on this topic on his website (bowyersedge). I prefer the notch method with about 1/3 cut on the fell side and an second cut to make the notch. Then cut slightly above the point of the notch from the back side.

Two safety hints: (1) pick two escape routes (trees do not always fall the direction we plan) and make sure there are no logs or vines to trip you as you escape. You are going to want to escape as soon as the tree starts to fall - don't stand near the stump as if falls.
(2) Put the saw down when you escape. You can get another saw, you don't want to hurry with the saw in your hand - leave it.

Hey Chris, about the best and assured way to get out of fracturing up the tree when you encounter a leaning tree is by drill cutting. Next time you call, I'll explain it to you.

I drop trees the way Shaun does. I second the escape routes. You may notch it one way, but the tree or wind may have something else in mind. Wood or plastic wedges will help coax the tree the way you want it to go. Helps keep pressure off the blade too.