Plan a clear retreat path
Direction of Fall
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FELLING LARGE TREES
(6 inches (15 cm) 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 de- sired direction of fall. After a felling cut is made on the opposite side of tree, the tree will tend to fall into the notch.
NOTE: If the tree has large buttress roots, remove them before making the notch. If us- ing saw to remove buttress roots, keep saw chain from contacting ground to prevent dull- ing of the chain.
NOTCH CUT AND FELLING THE TREE
SMake 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 cut- ting the bottom of the notch. See illustra- tion. Once the notch is cut remove the notch of wood from the tree.
Final (felling) cut here, 2 inches (5 cm) above center of notch.
First cut
Notch 
Hinge
Second cut
S After removing the wood from the notch, make the felling cut on the opposite side of the notch. This is done by making a cut about two inches (5 cm) higher than the center of the notch. This will leave enough uncut wood between the felling cut and the notch to form a hinge. This hinge will help prevent the tree from falling in the wrong direction.
Hinge holds tree on stump and helps control fall
Closing 
of notch
NOTE: Before felling cut is complete, use wedges to open the cut if necessary to control the direction of fall. To avoid kickback and chain damage, use wood or plastic wedges, but never steel or iron wedges.
SBe alert to signs that the tree is ready to fall:
cracking sounds, widening of the felling cut, or movement in the upper branches.
SAs tree starts to fall, stop saw, put it down, and get away quickly on your planned re- treat path.
SDO NOT cut down a partially fallen tree with your saw. Be extremely cautious with partially fallen trees that may be poorly supported. When a tree doesn’t fall com- pletely, 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.
WARNING: 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.
IMPORTANT POINTS
SCut only one log at a time.
S Cut shattered wood very carefully; sharp pieces of wood could be flung toward opera- tor.
SUse a sawhorse to cut small logs. Never allow another person to hold the log while cutting and never hold the log with your leg or foot.
SDo not cut in an area where logs, limbs, and roots are tangled such as in a blown down area. Drag the logs into a clear area before cutting by pulling out exposed and cleared logs first.
TYPES OF CUTTING USED FOR BUCKING
WARNING: If saw becomes pinched or hung in a log, don’t try to force it out. You can lose control of the saw resulting in injury and/or damage to the saw. Stop the saw, drive a wedge of plastic or wood into the cut until the saw can be removed easily. Re- start the saw and carefully reenter the cut. To avoid kickback and chain damage, do not use a metal wedge. Do not attempt to restart your saw when it is pinched or hung in a log.
Use a wedge to remove pinched saw
Turn saw OFF and use a plastic or wooden wedge to force cut open.
Overcutting begins on the top side of the log with the bottom of the saw against the log. When overcutting use light downward pres- sure.
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