McCulloch MAC 838 Felling Large Trees, Notch CUT and Felling the Tree, Cutting a Fallen Tree

Natural conditions that can cause a tree to fall in a particular direction include:

SThe wind direction and speed.

S The lean of the tree. The lean of a tree might not be apparent due to uneven or sloping terrain. Use a plumb or level to de- termine the direction of tree lean.

SWeight and branches on one side. S Surrounding trees and obstacles.

Look for decay and rot. If the trunk is rotted, it can snap and fall toward the operator. Make sure there is enough room for the tree to fall. Maintain a distance of 2-1/2tree lengths from the nearest person or other objects. En- gine noise can drown out a warning call. Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, staples, and wire from the tree where cuts are to be made.

Plan a clear retreat path

Direction of Fall

45_

FELLING LARGE TREES

(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.

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 cut here. 5 cm above
First cut	center of notch.
	5 cm
Notch	5 cm
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 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 fall- ing in the wrong direction.

Hinge holds tree on stump and helps control fall

Opening of felling cut

Closing of notch

NOTE: Before felling cut is complete, use wedges to open the cut when necessary to control the direction of fall. To avoid kickback or 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 par- tially fallen trees that may be poorly sup- ported. When a tree doesn’t fall completely, 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 length.

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.

SCut shattered wood very carefully; sharp pieces of wood could be flung toward oper-

ator.

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. Drag the logs into a clear area before cutting by pulling out ex- posed 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. Restart the saw and carefully reenter the cut. Do not attempt to restart your saw when it is pinched or hung in a log.

Turn saw OFF and use a plastic or wooden wedge to force cut open.

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