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Page 18
PROPER PROCEDURE FOR TREE FELLING
1. Pick your escape route (or routes in case the in-
tended route is blocked). Clear the immediate area
around the tree and make sure there are no obstruc-
tions in your planned path of retreat. Clear the path of
safe retreat approximately 135° from the planned line
of fall.
2. 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.
3. 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.
See Figure 31.
4. Make the backcut level and horizontal, and at a mini-
mum of 2 inches (5 cm) above the horizontal cut of the
notch.
See Figure 31.
Note: Never cut through to the notch. Always leave a
band of wood between the notch and back cut (approxi-
mately 2 inches (5 cm) 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 shoot-
back of the tree off the stump.
See Figure 32.
On large diameter trees, stop the back cut before it is
deep enough for the tree to either fall or settle back on
the stump. Then insert soft wooden or plastic wedges
into the cut so they do not touch the chain. Drive
wedges in, little by little, to help jack the tree over.
See
Figure 33.
When bucking or felling with a wedge, it may be
necessary to remove the SAFE-T-TIP
®
anti-kickback
device to allow the bar to be drawn through the cut.
After you complete the cut, reinstall the tip immediately.
5. As tree starts to fall, stop the chain saw and put it down
immediately. Retreat along the cleared path, but watch
the action in case something falls your way.
WARNING:
Never cut through to the notch when making a back
cut. The hinge controls the fall of the tree, this is the
section of wood between the notch and backcut.
HINGE
2" (5 CM) OR 1/10 DIA
HINGE
BACK CUT
WEDGE
NOTCH -
APPROX. 1/3
DIAMETER OF
TRUNK
BACK CUT
2" (5 CM)
Fig. 33
Fig. 32
Fig. 31
OPERATION