11

FELLINGLARGE TREES

(6 inches/15 cm in diameter or larger)
Thenotc hmethod is us ed to fell large trees.
Anotch is c ut 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: Ifthe tr ee has large buttress roots,
removethem before making the notc h. If us -
ingsaw to remov e buttress roots, keep saw
chainfrom contact ing ground to prevent dull-
ingof the chain.

NOTCH CUT AND FELLING THE

TREE

SMake notch cut by cutting the top of the
notchfi rst. Cut through 1/3 of the diameter
ofthe tree. Next complete the notch by c ut-
ting the bottom of the notch. See illustra-
tion. Once the notch is cut remove the
notch of wood from the tree.
Notch
Firstcut
Second cut
Final (
elling) cut here.
2″(5c m) above center of notch.
5cm
5cm
Hinge
SAfter removing the wood from the notch,
make the felling cut on the opposite side of
thenotch. This is done by mak ing a cut about
two inches higher than the center of the
notch. This will leave enough uncut wood
between the felling cut and the notch to form
ahinge. This hinge will help prevent th etree
from falling in the wrong direction.
Opening
of felling
cut
Closing
of
notch
Hingeholds tree on stump and helps
control fall
NOTE:Before felling cut is complete, use
wedges to open the cut when necessary to
controlthe direction of fall. Toavoid 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 fell-
ing cut, or movement in the upper
branches.
SAstree st arts to fall, stop saw, put it down,
andget away quickly on your planned re-
treat path.
SDO NOT cut down a partially fallen tree
withyour s aw. Be extremely cautious w ith
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 FALLENTREE

(BUCKING)
Bucking is the term used for cutting a fallen
tree to the desired log length.
WARNING: Do not s tand on the log
beingc ut. Any portion can roll causing loss
offooting and c ontrol. Do not stand downhill
of the logbeing c ut.
IMPORTANTPOINTS
SCut only one log at a time.
SCut shattered wood very carefully; sharp
piecesof wood could be flung toward oper-
ator.
SUse a sawhorse to cut small logs. Nev er
allow another person to hold the log while
cuttingand never hold the log w ith your leg
or foot.
SDo not cut in an area where logs, limbs,
androots are tangled. D rag the logs into a
cleararea befor ec utting by pulling out ex-
posed and cleared logs first.

TYPES OF CUTTING USED FOR

BUCKING

WARNING: If s aw becomes
pinched or hung in a log, don’t try to force it
out. You can lose control of the saw resulting
ininjury and/or damage to the s aw. Stop the
saw,drive a wedge of plas tic or wood into the
cutuntil the s aw can be removed easily. Re-
start the saw and carefully reenter the cut.
Donot attempt to r estart your saw when it is
pinched or hung in a log.
Turn sa w OFF and use a plastic or
wooden wedge to force cut open.
Useawedgetoremovepinchedsaw
Overcuttingbegins on the top side of the log
withthe saw against the log. When ov ercut-
ting use light downward pressure.
Overcutting Undercutting
Undercuttinginvolves cutting on the under-
sideof the log with top of s aw against the log.
When undercutting use light upward pres-
sure. Hold saw firmly and maintain control.
The saw will tend to push back toward you.