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18
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 sepa-
rated 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 14.
■ Before felling is started 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.
■ 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 15.
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. (5 CM) OR 1/10 DIA
NOTCH -
APPROX. 1/3
DIAMETER OF
TRUNK
BACK CUT
2 IN. (5 CM)
Fig. 15
OPERATION
PLANNED PATH OF SAFE RETREAT
135° FROM PLANNED LINE OF FALL
PLANNED
LINE OF FALL
Fig. 14
SAFE
RETREAT
ZONE
PLANNED LINE OF FALL
45°
45°
90°
135°
135°
SAFE
RETREAT
ZONE
SAFE
RETREAT
ZONE
90°