2.FELLING SMALL TREES -- LESS THAN 6" IN DIAMETER
a.Ifyou knowthe direction offall:
1.) Make a single felling cut on the side away from the direction of fall.
2.) Cut all the way through.
3.) Stop the saw, put it down, and get away quickly on your planned retreat path.
b.If you are not sure which way the tree will fall, use the notch method described for felling large trees.
WARNING!
DO NOT CUT:
near electrical wires or buildings.
if you do not know the direction of tree fall. at night since you will not be able to see well.
wduring bad weather m strong wind, snow, rain,
....etc._--
3.FELLING LARGE TREES m 6" DIAMETER
OR MORE
The notch method is used to cut 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 the tree, the tree will tend to fall into the notch.
NOTE: If the tree has large buttress roots, re- movebefore making the notch. Cut into the but- tresses vertically, then horizontally, Figure28.
a.Makethe notch cut. Figure29.
1.) Cut the bottom of the notch first, through 1/3 of the diameter of the tree.
2.) Complete the notch by making the slant cut.
3.) Remove the notch of wood.
b.Make thefelling cut on the opposite sideofthe notch about 2" higher than the bottom of the notch.
c.Leave enough uncut wood between the felling cut and the notch to form a hinge. Figure 30. NOTE: The hinge helps to keel5 the tree from twisting and falling in the wrong direction.
d.Use a wedge if there is any chance that the tree will not fall in the desired direction.
DIRECTION | / | t | t |
__ |
| ||
|
| ||
OF FALL _ |
|
4,_
Figure 27 | Figure 28 |
|
|
DIRECTION |
|
|
|
OF FALL | DIRECTION | OPENING | OF |
| |||
|
| FELLING | CUT |
NOTCH
\CLOSING
HINGE HOLDS THE TREE ON STUMP
AND CONTROLSTHE FALL
Figure 29 | Figure 30 |
NOTE: Before the felling cut is complete, drive wedges to open up the cut when necessary to control the direction of fall. Use wood, plastic or
light alloy wedges but never steel or iron, to avoid kickback and chain damage.
e.Be alert for signs that the tree is ready to fall:
1.) cracking sounds
2.) widening of the felling cut
3.) movement in the upper branches.
f.As the tree starts to fall; stop the saw; put it down, and get away quickly on yourplanned
retreat path.
g.Be extremely cautious with partially fallen trees that may be poody supported. When a tree doesn't falllcomp!etely, set the saw aside and
,pul!down the tree with acable winch,block and tackle or tractor. Do not cut it down with your saw to avoid injury.
DON'T PUT YOURSELF IN THESE POSITIONS
| / |
Don't cut down wind. | Don't cut on lean side. |
Check the l)ai_ance. Don't cut on weighted side.
!5
