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16 17
OPERATION
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.
�n 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 equip-
ment, then cut them up.
�n Do not cut trees near electrical wires or buildings.
�n Check the tree for damaged or dead branches that could
fall and hit you during felling.
�n Periodically glance at the top of the tree during the
backcut to assure the tree is going to fall in the desired
direction.
n 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.
n 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.
n Consider the force and direction of the wind, the lean
and balance of the tree, and the location 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.
n 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. This notch should be
cleaned out to leave a straight line. To keep the weight
of the wood off the saw, always make the lower cut of
the notch before the upper cut.
n Make the backcut level and horizontal, and at a minimum
of 2 in. above the horizontal cut of the notch.
NOTE: Never cut through to the notch. Always leave a
band of wood between the notch and back cut (approxi-
mately 2 in. or 1/10 the diameter of the tree). This is called
“hinge” or “hingewood.” It controls the fall of the tree and
prevents slipping or twisting or shootback of the tree off
the stump.
Fig. 21
45°
45°
90°
135°
135°
90°
135° FROM
PLANNED LINE
OF FALL
PATH OF
SAFE RETREAT
PLANNED LINE OF
FALL
PLANNED
LINE OF FALL
PATH
OF SAFE
RETREAT
HINGE
2 in. (5
cm) OR 1/10 DIA
NOTCH -
APPROX. 1/3
DIAMETER OF
TRUNK
BACK CUT
2
in. (5
cm)
Fig. 22