Homelite UT10548 Operator's Manual page 20

 Do not put pressure on the saw at the end of
the cut.
FELLING TREES
HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS
WARNING:
Do not fell trees during periods of high wind or
heavy precipitation. Wait until the hazardous
weather has ended.
When felling a tree, it is important that you heed the
following warnings to prevent possible serious injury.
 Do not cut down trees having an extreme lean
or large trees with rotten limbs, loose bark,
or hollow trunks. Have these trees pushed or
dragged down with heavy equipment, then cut
them up.
 Do not cut trees near electrical wires or buildings.
 Check the tree for damaged or dead branches
that could fall and hit you during felling.
 Periodically glance at the top of the tree during
the backcut to assure the tree is going to fall in
the desired direction.
 If the tree starts to fall in the wrong direction,
or if the saw gets caught or hung up during the
fall, leave the saw and save yourself!
PROPER PROCEDURE FOR TREE
FELLING
See Figures 21 - 24.
 Pick your escape route (or routes in case the
intended route is blocked). Clear the immediate
area around the tree and make sure there are
no obstructions in your planned path of retreat.
Clear the path of safe retreat approximately 135°
from the planned line of fall.
 Consider the force and direction of the wind,
the lean and balance of the tree, and the loca-
tion of large limbs. These things influence the
direction in which the tree will fall. Do not try to
fell a tree along a line different from its natural
line of fall.
 Cut a notch about 1/3 the diameter of the trunk
in the side of the tree. Make the notch cuts so
they intersect at a right angle to the line of fall.
OPERATION
PLANNED LINE
OF FALL
135° FROM
PLANNED
LINE OF FALL
PLANNED
LINE OF
FALL
Page 20 — English
135°
135°
HINGE
2 in. OR 1/10 DIA
BACK CUT
2 in.
90°
PATH OF
SAFE RETREAT
PATH
OF SAFE
RETREAT
45°
90°
45°
Fig. 21
NOTCH -
APPROX. 1/3
DIAMETER OF
TRUNK
Fig. 22