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15
WARNING:
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!
Felling a tree - When bucking and felling operations are
being performed by two or more persons, at the same
time, the felling operation should be separated from the
bucking operation by a distance of at least twice the
height of the tree being felled. Trees should not be felled
in a manner that would endanger any person, strike any
utility line or cause any property damage. If the tree does
make contact with any utility line, the utility company
should be notified immediately.
Before any cuts are started, 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 path
of safe retreat approximately 135° from planned line of
fall. The retreat path should extend back and diagonally
to the rear of the expected line of fall. See Figure 13.
Before felling is started, consider the force and direction
of the wind, the lean and balance of the tree, and the lo-
cation 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.
The chain saw operator should keep on the uphill side
of the terrain as the tree is likely to roll or slide downhill
after it is felled.
Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, staples, and wire
from the tree where felling cuts are to be made.
Notched Undercut. Cut a notch about 1/3 the diameter
of the tree, perpendicular to the direction of fall. Make the
cuts of the notch 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 14.
WARNING:
Periodically glance at the top of the tree during the
backcut to assure the tree is going to fall in the desired
direction.
hINGE
2 in. OR 1/10 DIA
NOTCh -
AppROX. 1/3
DIAMETER Of
TRuNK
BACK CuT
2 in.
Fig. 14
pLANNED pATh Of sAfE RETREAT 135° fROM pLANNED LINE
Of fALL
pLANNED
LINE Of fALL
Fig. 13
sAfE
RETREAT
ZONE
pLANNED LINE Of fALL
45°
45°
90°
135°
135°
sAfE
RETREAT
ZONE
sAfE
RETREAT
ZONE
90°
OPERATION