OPERATING CHAIN SAW
Continued
TRIMMING A TREE (Pruning)
!WARNING
Avoid kickback. Kickback can result in severe injury or death. See Kickback, page 3 to avoid risk of kickback.
!WARNING
Do not operate chain saw while
•in a tree
•on a ladder or any other unstable surface
•in any awkward position
You may lose control of saw causing severe injury.
!WARNING
Do not cut limbs higher than your shoulders.
Trimming a tree is the process of cutting limbs from a living tree. Make sure your footing is firm. Keep feet apart. Divide your weight evenly on both feet. Follow directions below to trim a tree.
1.Make first cut 15 centimeters (six inches) from tree trunk on underside of limb. Use top of guide bar to make this cut. Cut 1/3 through diameter of limb (see Figure 11).
2.Move five to ten centimeters (two to four inches) farther out on limb. Make second cut from above limb. Continue cut until you cut limb off.
3.Make third cut as close to tree trunk as possible on underside of limb stub. Use top of guide bar to make this cut. Cut 1/3 through diameter of stub.
4.Make fourth cut directly above third cut. Cut down to meet third cut. This will remove limb stub.
!CAUTION
Seek professional help if facing conditions beyond your ability.
2nd Cut - Pruning Cut
4th Cut - Final (to avoid pinching) Stub Cut
15 cm 
(6")
5 to 10 cm (2" to 4")
1st Cut - Pruning Undercut (to avoid splintering)
3rd Cut - Stub Undercut (to avoid splintering)
Figure 11 - Cutting A Limb
FELLING A TREE (Cutting Down a Tree)
!WARNING
•Avoid kickback. Kickback can result in severe injury or death. See Kickback, page 3 to avoid risk of kickback.
•Do not fell a tree without ample skill or expert help.
•Keep children, animals, and bystanders away from area when felling a tree.
•If two or more persons perform bucking and felling operations at the same time, provide ample distance between operations. Provide distance of at least twice the height of tree being felled.
!WARNING
When felling a tree, be aware of your surroundings. Do not endanger any person, strike utility lines, or cause property damage. If tree strikes utility lines, contact utility company at once.
!CAUTION
Seek professional help if facing conditions beyond your ability.
Felling is the process of cutting down a tree. Make sure your footing is firm. Keep feet apart. Divide your weight evenly on both feet. Follow directions below to fell a tree.
Before Felling a Tree
1.Before felling, inspect tree. Make sure there are no dead limbs or branches that may fall on you. Study natural lean of tree, location of larger branches, and wind direction. This will help you judge which way tree will fall.
2.Clear work area around tree.
3.Plan and clear a retreat path before felling. Make retreat path opposite to planned direction of fall of tree and at 45° angle (see Figure 12).
Retreat
Path
Direction of Fall
45°
Retreat | Tree |
Path |
|
Figure 12 - Retreat Path From Tree
4.Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, staples, and wire from tree where you will make felling cuts.
5.Stay on uphill side when felling tree. Tree could roll or slide downhill after falling.
Continued
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