Table of Contents
Advertisement
felling a tRee
DIRECTION
OF FALL
Direction of fall
First cut
Notch
Second cut
One-third tree
diameter
LIMBING
45°
Hinge
2"
Felling cut
2"
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 between
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.
Limbing a fallen tree is much the same as bucking. Never
limb on the tree that you are standing. When limbing, cau-
tion is the word. Be careful of the tip touching other limbs.
Always use both hands.
16
Advertisement
Table of Contents
