Notching undercut
Make the notch 1/3 the diameter of the tree,
perpendicular to the direction of fall, as
illustrated in Fig. 16. Make the lower horizontal
notching cut first. This will help to avoid
pinching of either the saw chain or the guide
bar when the second notch is being made.
Felling Back Cut
1. Make the felling back cut at least 2 inches
(50.8 mm) higher than the horizontal
notching cut (Fig. 16). Keep the felling back
cut parallel to the horizontal notching cut.
Make the felling back cut so that enough
wood is left to act as a hinge. The hinge
wood keeps the tree from twisting and
falling in the wrong direction. Do not cut
through the hinge.
2. As the felling cut gets close to the hinge,
the tree should begin to fall. If there is any
chance that the tree may not fall in the
desired direction or it may rock back and
bind the saw chain, stop cutting before
the felling back cut is complete and use
wedges of wood, plastic or aluminum to
open the cut and drop the tree along the
desired line of fall.
3. When the tree begins to fall, remove the chain saw from the cut, stop the motor, put the
chain saw down, then use the retreat path planned. Be alert for overhead limbs falling and
watch your footing.
Limbing
Limbing is removing branches from a fallen
tree. When limbing, leave larger limbs to sup-
port the log off the ground.
Remove the small limbs in one cut as
illustrated in Fig. 17. Branches under tension
should be cut from the bottom up to avoid
binding the chain saw.
WARNING
during the limbing operation . Be extremely
cautious and avoid contacting the log or
other limbs with the tip of the guide bar .
22
There is an extreme
danger of kickback
Fig. 16
Notching Undercut
Direction of fall
Notch
Fig. 17
Tree Limbing
Limb Cut
2 in.
Felling back
(50.8 mm)
Cut
2 in.
(50.8 mm)
Hinge