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2. FELLING
SMALL TREES --
LESS THAN
6" IN DIAMETER
a. If youknowthedirectionoffall:
1.) Make a single fellingcut on lhe side away
from thedirectionof fall
2.) Cutallthewaythrough.
3.) Stop the saw, put it down, and get away
quicklyon yourplanned retreat path.
• b. If you are not sure which way the tree will fall,
use the notch method described for felling
large trees.
_WARNING
DO NOT CUT:
near electrical wires or buildings.
if you do not know the direction of tree fall.
at night since you will not be able to see well.
--during
bad weather-
strong' wind, snow, rain,
etc.
3. FELLING
LARGE TREES--
6" DIAMETER
OR MORE
The notch method is used to cut large trees. A
notch is cut on the side of the tree in lhe desired
direction of fall. After a felling cut _smade on the
opposite side of the tree, the tree wifJtend to falt
=intothe notch.
NOTE: tf the tree has large buttress roots, re-
move before making the notch. Cut into the but-
tresses vertically,then horizontally. Figure20.
a. Make the notchcut. Figure 21.
1.) Cut the bottom of the notch first, through
1/3 of thediameter ofthe tree.
2.) Complete the notch by making the slant
cut.
3.) Remove the notchof wood.
b. Make the fellingcut on the opposite side of the
notch about 2" higher than the bottQm of the
notch..
(;_ Leave ene_Jh u,'_ut w¢.<_ between the felling
cut and the notch to forma hinge. Figure22.
NOTE: The hinge helps to keep the tree.from
twisting.andfa ling in the wrong direction.
d. Use a wedge ifthere is any chance that the tree
willnot fatl in the desired direction.
Check thewind.
Don'tcutdownw_nd.
Figure 19
/ \
\
Figure21
Figure22
AWAR.ING
Stayon the uphill side of theterrain to avoidthetree rott-
ing or sliding downhill after it has fallen.
NOTE: Before the felling cut iscomplete, drive
wedges to open up the cut when necessary to
control the direction offall. Use woodor plastic
wedges butneversteelor iron,to avoidkickback
and chain damage.
e. Be alert for signs that the tree is ready to fall:
1.) craoking sounds.
2,) widening of the felling cut.
3.) movement in the upper branches.
f. As the tree starts to fall, stop the saw; put it
down_ and get awa.Y qu]qk/yon.yQiJr planned
retreat path.
g. Beextmmelycautiouswithpar'daliyfallenL,
eesthat
may be poodysupported. When atree doesn'tfall
completery, setthe s_vaside andpulldownthetree
with a cable winch, blockand tackleor tractor.To
avoidinjury,do not cut down a partiallyfallentree
with your saw.
DON'T PUT YOURSELF IN THESE POSITIONS
%
Check the lean.
Don't cut on lean side.
Checkthe balance.
Don'tcutonweightedside.
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