A severe felling accident where the tree trunk splits vertically from the back cut before the hinge can guide the fall. The back half of the tree kicks violently upward and backward, resembling the footrest of an old barber chair. This happens most often in heavy-leaning trees or hardwoods with high tension, and it can easily kill or maim the faller.
Heard on the job
Watch your back cut on that leaner, she has enough tension to barber chair on you before you can clear out.
Insider tip
The best defense against a barber chair is wrapping the trunk with a chain or using a bore cut to sever the holding wood from the inside out, releasing tension safely.