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WORKING TECHNIQUES
28 – English
Felling cut
The felling cut is made from the opposite side of the tree
and it must be perfectly horizontal. Try to take a correct
position so you are able to cut on the pull stroke.
Make the felling cut about 1.5-2 inches (3-5 cm) above the
bottom directional cut.
Use full throttle and bring the bar and chain slowly into the
tree. Make sure the tree does not start to move in the
opposite direction to your intended felling direction. Drive
a wedge or breaking bar into the cut as soon as it is deep
enough.
Finish the felling cut parallel with the directional cut line so
that the distance between them is at least 1/10 of the
trunk diameter. The uncut section of the trunk is called the
felling hinge.
The felling hinge controls the direction that the tree falls in.
All control over the felling direction is lost if the felling
hinge is too narrow or non-existent, or if the directional
cuts and felling cut are badly placed.
We recommend that you use a bar that is longer than the
diameter of the tree, so that you can make the felling cut
and directional cuts with single cutting strokes. See the
Technical data section to find out which lengths of bar are
recommended for your saw.
There are methods for felling trees with a diameter larger
than the bar length. However these methods involve a
much greater risk that the kickback zone of the bar will
come into contact with the tree.
Freeing a tree that has fallen badly
Cutting trees and branches that are in tension
Preparations:
Work out which side is in tension and where the point of
maximum tension is (i.e. where it would break if it was
bent even more).
Decide which is the safest way to release the tension and
whether you are able to do it safely. In complicated
situations the only safe method is to put aside your chain
saw and use a winch.
General advice:
Position yourself so that you will be clear of the tree or
branch when the tension is released.
Make one or more cuts at or near the point of maximum
tension. Make as many cuts of sufficient depth as
necessary to reduce the tension and make the tree or
branch break at the point of maximum tension.
Never cut straight through a tree or branch that is in
tension!
!
WARNING! Unless you have special
training we advise you not to fell trees
with a diameter larger than the bar length
of your saw!