FELLING LARGE TREES
(6 inches 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 desired 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 cutting the bottom of the notch. See il- lustration. Once the notch is cut remove the notch of wood from the tree.
After removing the cutout of wood, make
the felling cut on the opposite side of theS
notch. This is done by making 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 a hinge. This hinge will help prevent the tree from falling in the wrong direction.
Final cut here. 2 inches above center of notch.
First cut
Notch
Second cut
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. Use wood or plastic wedges, but never steel or iron, to avoid kickback and chain damage.
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.
As tree starts to fall, stop saw, put it down, and get away quickly on your planned re-
treat path.S
SBe extremely cautious with partially fallen trees that may be poorly supported. 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. To avoid injury, do not cut down a partially fallen tree with your saw.
8
CUTTING A FALLEN TREE
(BUCKING)
Bucking is the term used for cutting a fall- en tree to the desired log length. WARNING: Do not stand on the log be- ing cut. Any portion can roll causing loss of footing and control. Do not stand downhill of the log being cut.
Important points
S | Cut only one log at a time. |
S | Cut shattered wood very carefully; sharp |
| pieces of wood could be flung toward op- |
| erator. |
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.
Do not cut in an area where logs, limbs,S
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.
Overcutting begins on the top side of the log with the saw against the log. When over- cutting use light downward pressure.
Undercutting Overcutting
Undercutting involves cutting on the un- derside of the log with top of saw against the log. When undercutting use light upward pressure. Hold saw firmly and maintain con- trol. The saw will tend to push back toward you.
WARNING: Never turn saw upside down to undercut. The saw cannot be con- trolled in this position.
First cut on pressure side of log
Second cut
