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11
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The chai n saw operator shoul d keep
on the uphill side of the terrain as the
tree is likely to roll or slide downhill
after it is felled.
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Study the natural condi tions that can
cause the tree to fall in a particular
direction. These conditions include:
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The w ind direction and speed.
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The l ean of the tree. The lean of a
tree might not be apparent due to
uneven or sloping terrain. Use a
plumb or level to determine the di-
rection of tree lean.
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Weight and branches on one side.
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Surrounding trees and obstacles.
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Look for decay and rot. If the trunk is
rotted, it can snap and fall toward the
operator.
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Make sure there is enough room for
the tree to fall. Maintain a distance of
2-1/2
tree lengths from the nearest
person or other objects. Engine
noise can drown out a warning call.
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Remove dirt, stones, l oose bark,
nails, staples, and wire from the tree
where cuts are to be made.
Direction of Fall
45
_
Plan a clear retreat path
FELLING LARGE TREES
(6 inches in diameter or larger)
The notch method is used to fell large
trees. A notch is cut on the side of the
tree in the desired direction of fall. After
a felling cut is made on the opposite
side of tree, the tree will tend to fall in
the direction of the notch.
NOTE: If tree has large buttress roots,
remove them before making the notch.
If using saw to remove buttress roots,
keep saw chain from contacting
ground to prevent dulling of the chain.
NOTCH CUT AND FELLING TREE
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Make notch cut by cutting the top of
the notch first. Cut through
1/3
of the
diameter of the tree. Next complete
the notch by cutting the bottom. See
illustration. Once the notch is cut, re-
move the w edge of wood from tree.
Notch
First cut
Second cut
Felling cut here
Hinge
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After removing the wood, make the
felling cut on the opposite side of the
notch. T his i s done by making a cut
about two inches higher than the
center of the notch. This will leave
enough uncut wood between the fell-
ing cut and the notch to form a hinge.
This hinge will help prevent the tree
from falling in the wrong direction.
Opening of
felling cut
Closing
of notch
Hinge holds tree on
stump and helps
control fall
NOTE: Before felling cut is complete,
use wedges to open the cut when
necessary to control the direction of
fall. To avoid kickback and chain
damage, use w ood or plastic wedges,
but never steel or iron wedges.
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Be alert to signs that the tree is
ready to fall: cracking sounds, widen-
ing of the felling cut, or movement in
the upper branches.
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As tree starts to fall, stop saw, put it
down, and get away quickly on your
planned retreat path.
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DO NOT
use your saw to cut down a
partially fallen tree. Be extremely
cautious with partially fallen trees
that may be poorly supported. When
a tree doesn’t fall completely, set the
saw aside and pull down the tree
with a cable winch, block and tackle,
or tractor.
CUTTING A FALLEN TREE
(BUCKING)
Bucking is the term used for cutting a
fallen tree to the desired log size.
W ARNING:
Do not stand on the
log being cut. Any portion can roll
causing loss of footing and control. Do
not stand downhill of the log being cut.