Look for decay and rot. If the 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
Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, sta- ples, and wire from the tree where cuts are to be made.
Plan a clear retreat path to the rear and diag- onal to the line of fall.
Plan a clear retreat path
Direction of Fall
45_
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 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: If the tree has large buttress roots, remove them before making the notch.
NOTCH CUT AND FELLING THE TREE
S Make 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.
SAfter removing the cutout of wood, make the felling cut on the opposite side of the 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 (felling) cut here. 2 inches above center of notch.
First cut
Notch 
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Second cut |
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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 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.
SAs tree starts to fall, stop saw, put it down, and get away quickly on your planned re-
treat path.
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. Do not cut down a partially fallen tree with your saw.
CUTTING A FALLEN TREE
(BUCKING)
Bucking is the term used for cutting a fallen tree to the desired log size.
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.
S Do not cut in an area where logs, limbs, and roots are tangled such as in a blown down area. Drag the logs into a clear area before cutting by pulling out exposed 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. Re- start the saw and carefully reenter the cut. To avoid kickback and chain damage, do not
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