12
FELLINGLARGE TREES
(6 inches (15 cm) in diameter or larger)
Thenotc hmethod is us ed to fell 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 remov e buttress roots, keep saw
chainfrom contact ing ground to prevent dull-
ingof thec 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 c ut-
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 uncut 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. Toavoid 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.
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 w ith
partially fallen trees that may be poorly
supported. When a tree doesn’t fall 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 stand on t he log
beingc ut. Any portion can roll causing loss
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 car efully; sharp
pieces of wood could be flung toward oper a-
tor.
SUse a sawhorse to cut small logs. Nev er
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. 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 s aw becomes
pinched or hung in a log, don’t try to force it
out. You can lose control of the saw resulting
ininjury and/or damage to the s aw. Stop the
saw,drive a wedge of plas tic or wood into the
cutuntil the s aw can be removed easily. Re-
startthe saw and c arefully reenter the cut. To
avoid kickback and chain damage, do not
usea metal wedge. Donot attempt to restart
yoursaw when it is pinched or hung in a log.
Use a wedge to remove pinched saw
Turns aw OFF and use a plastic or
wooden wedge to force cut open.
Overcutting begins on the top side of the log
with the bottom of the saw against the log.
When overcutting use light downw ard pres-
sure.
Overcutting
Undercutting
Undercuttinginvolves cutting on the under-
sideof the log with top of s aw against the log.
When undercutting use light upward pres-
sure. Hold saw firmly and maintain control.
The saw will tend to push back toward you.