OPERATING CHAIN SAW

Continued

FELLING A TREE (Cutting Down a Tree) WARNING:

•Avoidkickback.Kickbackcanresultinse- vereinjuryordeath.SeeKickback,pages 4 and 5, to avoid risk of kickback.

•Do not fell a tree without ample skill or expert help.•Keepchildren,animals,andbystanders away from area when felling a tree.

•If two or more persons perform buck- ing and felling operations at the same time, provide ample distance between operations.Provide distance of at least twice the height of tree being felled.

WARNING: When felling a tree, be aware of your surroundings. Do not endanger any person, strike utility lines, or cause property damage.If tree strikes utility lines, contact utility company at once.

Felling is the process of cutting down a tree. Make sure your footing is firm. Keep feet apart. Divide your weight evenly on both feet. Follow directions below to fell a tree.

Before Felling a Tree

1.Before felling, inspect tree. Make sure there are no dead limbs or branches that may fall on you. Study natural lean of tree, location of larger branches, and wind direction. This will help you judge which way tree will fall.

2.Clear work area around tree.

3.Plan and clear a retreat path before felling. Make retreat path opposite to planned direction of fall of tree and at 45° angle (see Figure 11).

Retreat Path

Direction of Fall

4.Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, staples, and wire from tree where you will make felling cuts.

5.Stay on uphill side when felling tree. Tree could roll or slide downhill after falling.

Felling Procedure

 

A) Felling Notch

 

ENGLISH

A properly placed felling notch will determine direc-

 

tion tree will fall. Place felling notch on side of tree in

 

direction you want tree to fall (see Figure 12). Follow

 

directions below to create a felling notch.

 

1. Make lower notch cut as close to ground as pos-

 

sible. Hold saw so guide bar is horizontal. Cut

 

1/3 the diameter of tree trunk (see Figure 12).

 

Note: Always make this horizontal lower notch

 

cut first. If you make this cut second, tree can

 

pinch chain or guide bar.

 

2. Start upper notch cut the same distance above

 

first cut as first cut is deep.

 

Example: If lower notch cut is eight inches deep,

 

start upper notch cut eight inches above it. Cut

 

downward at 45° angle. The upper notch cut should

 

meet end of lower notch cut (see Figure 12).

 

3. Remove tree trunk wedge created by notching

 

cuts.

 

B) Felling Cut

1.Make felling cut two inches higher than lower notch cut and on opposite side of tree (see Figure 12). Keep felling cut parallel to lower notch cut.

2.Cut towards notch.

WARNING: Do not cut all the way through tree. Leave about two inches of tree diameter uncut directly behind felling notch (see Figure 12).This uncut portion acts as a hinge.The hinge helps keep tree from twisting and falling in wrong direction.

 

Direction of Fall

3rd Cut -

Hinge

Felling Cut

 

2"

(5 cm) 2nd Cut - Upper Notch Cut 1st Cut - Lower Notch Cut

2"(5 cm)

45°

Tree

Figure 12 - Felling A Tree

 

 

Retreat Path

 

 

Figure 11 - Retreat Path From Tree

Continued

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