Tree felling technique, Safe distance, Felling

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Tree felling technique

WARNING! It takes a lot of experience to fell

!a tree. Inexperienced users of chain saws should not fell trees. Do not attempt any task that you feel unsure of!

Safe distance

The safe distance between a tree that is to be felled and anyone else working nearby is at least 21/2 tree lengths. Make sure that no-one else is in this ”risk zone” before or during felling.

Felling direction

The aim is to fell the tree in a position where you can limb and cross-cut the log as easily as possible. You want it to fall on ground where you can stand and move about safely.The main point to avoid is letting the tree fall onto another tree. See instructions under the heading Freeing a tree that has fallen badly.

Once you have decided which way you want the tree to fall you must judge which way the tree would fall naturally.

Several factors affect this:

•Lean of the tree

•Bend

•Wind direction

•Arrangement of branches

•Weight of snow

You may ﬁnd you are forced to let the tree fall in its natural direction because it is impossible or dangerous to try to make it fall in the direction you ﬁrst intended.

Another very important factor, which does not affect the felling direction but does affect your safety, is to make sure the tree has no damaged or dead branches that might break off and hit you during felling.

WARNING! During critical felling operations,

!hearing protectors should be lifted immediately when sawing is completed so that sounds and warning signals can be heard.

Clearing the trunk and preparing your retreat

Remove any branches that are in the way. To do this it is best to work from the top down and keep the trunk between you and the chain saw. Never limb above shoulder height.

Remove any undergrowth from the base of the tree and check the area for obstacles (stones, branches, holes, etc.) so that you have a clear path of retreat when the tree starts to fall.

Your path of retreat should be roughly 135 degrees away from the intended felling direction.

Felling

Felling is done using three cuts. First you make the directional cuts, which consist of the top cut and the bottom cut, then you ﬁnish with the felling cut. By placing these cuts correctly you can control the felling direction very accurately.

Directional cuts

To make the directional cuts you begin with the top cut. Stand to the right of the tree and cut on the pull stroke.

Next make the bottom cut so that it ﬁnishes exactly at the end of the top cut.

20 – English