English – 21
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
2 The log is supported at one
end. There is a high risk
that it will split.
A Start by cutting from
below (about 1/3 of the
way through).
B Finish by cutting from
above so that the two
cuts meet.
3 The log is supported at both
ends. There is a high risk
that the chain will jam.
A Start by cutting from
above (about 1/3 of the
way through).
B Finish by cutting from
below so that the two
cuts meet.

Limbing

When limbing thick branches
you should use the same
approach as for cutting.
Cut difficult branches piece by
piece.
12
3
!

3 Tree felling technique

It takes a lot of experience to fell a tree.
Inexperienced users of chain saws should not
fell trees. NEVER ATTEMPT A TASK YOU ARE
UNSURE OF.

A 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.

B Felling direction

The aim is to fell the tree in the best possible position for
subsequent limbing and cross-cutting. You want it to fall on
ground where you can move about safely.
The main point to avoid is
letting the tree fall onto
another tree. It can be both
difficult and dangerous to
remove a tree in such a
position (see point 4 in this
section).
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.
!During critical felling operations, hearing
protectors should be lifted immediately when
sawing is completed so that sounds and
warning signals can be heard.