12
SThew ind direction and speed.
SThe lean of the tree. The lean of a tree
might not be apparent due to uneven or
slopingterrain. Usea plumb or level t o de-
termine the direction of tree lean.
SWeightand branc hes on one side.
SSurrounding trees and obstacles.
Look for decay and rot. Ifthe trunk is rotted,
it can snap and fall toward the operator.
Check for broken or dead branches which
can fall on you while cutting.
Make sure there is enough room for the tree to
fall. Maintain a distance of 2-1/2 tree lengths
from the nearest person or other objec ts. En-
gine noise can drown out a warning call.
Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, s ta-
ples,and wire from the tree w here cuts are to
bemade. Plan a c lear retreat path to the rear
anddiagonal to the line of fall.
Direction of Fall
45_
Plana clear retreat path
FELLINGLARGE TREES
(6 inches (15 cm) in diameter or larger)
Thenotc hmethod is used to f ell 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 remove buttr ess roots, keep saw
chainfrom contact ing ground to prevent dull-
ingof the c hain.
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 cut-
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 (felling) cut here, 2 inches
(5 cm) above center of notch.
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 (5 cm) higher than the center of
thenotch. This will leave enough unc ut wood
between the felling cut and the notch to form
ahinge. This hinge will help prevent the tree
from falling in the wrong direction.
Opening
of felling
cut
Closingof
notch
Hinge holdstree on stump and helps
control fall
NOTE: Before felling cut is complete, use
wedges to open the cut if necess ary to
controlthe direction of fall. Toavoidkick back
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 with
partially fallen trees that may be poorly
supported. Whena tree doesn’t f all 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 size.
WARNING: Do not s tand on the log
beingc ut. Anyportion can roll caus inglos s
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; sh arp
pieces of wood could be flung toward opera -
tor.
SUse a sawhorse to cut small logs. Never
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,
and roots are tangled such as in a blown
downarea. Dragthe logs into a clear area
before cutting by pulling out exposed and
cleared logs first.
TYPES OF CUTTING USED FOR
BUCKING
WARNING: If s aw becomes pinched
orhung in a log, don’t try to forc e it out. You
canlose c ontrol 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