_. x2
Plan a clear retreat path
%
()--_-
Direction
of Fall
t
45 ° /
y/_.€ ¢"
FELLING
LARGE
TREES
(6 h_ches/15 cm 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 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:
If the tree has large buttress
roots,
remove them before maMng the notch.
Ifus-
ing saw to remove buttress
roots, keep saw
chain from contacting
ground to prevent dull-
ing of the chain.
NOTCH
CUT
AND
FELLING
THE
TREE
• Make
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 cut-
ting the bottom of the notch. See illustra-
tion. Once
the notch
is cut remove
the
notch of wood from the tree.
• After 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 falling in the wrong direction.
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.
• Be alert to signs that the tree is ready to
fall cracking
sounds,
widening
of the fell-
ing
cut,
or
movement
in
the
upper
branches.
• As tree starts to fall, stop saw, put it down,
and get away quickly
on your planned
re-
treat path.
• DO NOT
cut down a partialty fallen tree
with your saw. Be extremely
cautious with
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 FALLEN
TREE
(BUCKING)
Bucking
is the term used for cutting a fallen
tree to the desired
log length.
_lJ
WARNING
: Do not stand on the log
being cut. Any portion can roll causing
loss
of footing and control.
Do not stand downhill
of the log being cut.
IMPORTANT
POINTS
• Cut only one log at a time.
• Cut shattered
wood very carefully;
sharp
pieces of wood could be flung toward oper-
ator.
• Use a sawhorse
to cut small logs.
Never
allow another
person to hold the log while
cutting and never hold the tog with your leg
or foot.
• Do not cut in an area where
logs, limbs,
and roots are tangled.
Drag the logs into a
clear area before cutting by pulling out ex-
posed and cleared
logs first.
TYPES
OF CUTTING
USED
FOR
BUCKING
_WARNING:
If
saw
becomes
pinched
or hung in a log, don't try to force it
out. You can tose control ofthe saw resulting
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 removed
easily. Re-
start the saw and carefully
reenter the cut.
Do not attempt to restart your saw when it is
pinched
or hung in a log.
Use a wedge
to remove
pinched
saw
Hinge holds tree on stump and helps
control
fall
_.,"4, '
out
of
- ",,_i 'l i\
notch
.z/-r,,__
_,_
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 saw against the log. When overcut-
ting use light downward
pressure.
11