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 in the direction of the notch.
NOTE: If tree has large buttress roots, remove them before making the notch. If using saw to remove buttress roots, keep saw chain from contacting ground to prevent dulling of the chain.
NOTCH CUT AND FELLING 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. See illustra- tion. Once the notch is cut, remove the wedge of wood from tree.
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First cut |
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Notch |
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Second cut |
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SAfter 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 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 fal-
ling 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 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 felling cut, or movement in the upper branches.
S As tree starts to fall, stop saw, put it down, and get away quickly on your planned retreat path.
SDO NOT use your saw to cut down a par- tially fallen tree. Be extremely cautious with partially fallen trees that may be poorly supported. When a tree doesn’t fall completely, set saw aside and pull down tree with a cable winch, block and tackle, or tractor.
CUTTING A FALLEN TREE (BUCKING)
Bucking is the term used for cutting a fall- en tree to the desired log size.
WARNING: Do not stand on the log being cut. Any portion can roll caus- ing loss of footing and control. Do not stand downhill of the log being cut.
IMPORTANT POINTS
SCut only one log at a time.
S Cut shattered wood very carefully; sharp pieces of wood could be flung to- ward operator.
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 logs into a clear area before cutting them by pulling out exposed and cleared logs first.
BUCKING TECHNIQUES
WARNING: If saw becomes pinched or hung in a log, don’t try to force it out. You can lose control of the saw result- ing 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 re- moved easily. Restart the saw and care- fully reenter the cut. Do not use a metal wedge. Do not attempt to restart your saw when it is pinched or hung in a log.
Use a wedge to remove pinched saw
Turn saw 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 downward pressure.
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