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FELLING A TREE
DIRECTION
OF FALL
Direction of fall
First cut
Notch
Second cut
One-third tree
diameter
Kickback
45°
Hinge
2"
Felling cut
2"
WARNING
Do not let the tip of the bar touch anything while the engine is
running. At cutting speed the chain is moving at a high rate of
speed. Should the tip contact a limb or log while the chain is
moving, the tip will be pushed upward with considerable force.
This is known as kickback. Avoid it!
WARNING
A falling tree can seriously damage anything it may hit - a
car, a house, a fence, a power line, or another tree. There are
ways to make a tree fall where you want it, so first decide
where that is!
Before cutting, clear the area around the tree. You will need good
footing while working and you should be able to work the saw
without hitting any obstacles. Next, select a path of retreat. When
the tree begins to fall you should retreat away from the direction
of fall at a 45 degree angle and at least 3m from the trunk to avoid
the trunk kicking back over the stump.
Begin the cut on the side to which the tree is to fall. Cut a notch
about 1/3 of the way into the tree as shown. The position of this
notch is important since the tree will try to fall "into" the notch.
The felling cut is made on the side opposite the notch and at a
level about 2" above the bottom of the notch. Do not try to cut
through to the notch with the felling cut. The remaining wood be-
tween the notch cut and felling cut (about 2") will act as a hinge
when the tree falls, guiding it in the desired direction. When the
tree starts to fall, kill the engine, place the saw on the ground and
make your retreat quickly.
To fell big trees with a diameter exceeding twice the bar length,
start the notching cuts from one side and draw the saw through to
the other side of the notch. Start the back cut on one side of the
tree, pivoting the saw through to form the desired hinge on that
side.
Then remove the saw for the second cut. Insert the saw in the first
cut, very carefully so as not to cause kickback. The final cut is
made by drawing the saw forward in the cut to reach the hinge.
15
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