PROPER PROCEDURE FOR TREE
FELLING
•
Felling a tree — When bucking and felling
operations are being performed by two or
more persons at the same time, the felling
operation should be separated from the
bucking operation by a distance of at least
twice the height of the tree being felled.
Trees should not be felled in a manner that
would endanger any person, strike any
utility line or cause any property damage.
If the tree does make contact with any
utility line, the utility company should be
notified immediately.
•
Operator should keep on the uphill side of
terrain as the tree is likely to roll or slide
after it is felled.
•
Pick your escape route (or routes in case
the intended route is blocked). Clear the
immediate area around the tree and make
sure there are no obstructions in your
planned path of retreat. Clear the path of
safe retreat approximately 135° from the
planned line of fall.
•
Consider the force and direction of the
wind, the lean and balance of the tree, and
the location of large limbs. These things
influence the direction in which the tree
will fall. Do not try to fell a tree along a line
different from its natural line of fall.
•
Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails,
staples, and wire from the tree where
felling cuts are to be made.
•
Notched Undercut. Cut a notch about
1/3 the diameter of the trunk on the side
of the tree. Make the notch cuts so they
intersect at a right angle to the line of fall.
This notch should be cleaned out to leave
a straight line. To keep the weight of the
wood off the saw, always make the lower
cut of the notch before the upper cut.
•
Felling Backcut. As the felling cut gets
close to the hinge, the tree should begin to
fall. If there is any chance the tree may not
fall in the desired direction or it may rock
back and bind the saw chain, stop cutting
before the felling cut is complete and use
wedges of wood, plastic or aluminum to
open the cut and drop the tree along its
desired line of fall. Make the backcut level
and horizontal, and at a minimum of 2 in. (5
cm) above the horizontal cut of the notch.
•
On large diameter trees, stop the back
cut before it is deep enough for the tree
to either fall or settle back on the stump.
Then insert soft wooden or plastic wedges
into the cut so they do.
•
As tree starts to fall, stop the chainsaw
and put it down immediately. Retreat along
the cleared path, but watch the action in
case something falls your way.
OPERATION
Planned Line
of fall
Back cut
NOTE: Never cut through to the notch. Always
leave a band of wood between the notch and
back cut (approximately 2 in. (5 cm) or 1/10
the diameter of the tree). This is called "hinge"
or "hingewood." It controls the fall of the tree
and prevents slipping or twisting or shoot
back of the tree off the stump.
BUCKING
Bucking is the term used for cutting a fallen
tree to the desired log length.
•
Always make sure your footing is secure
and your weight is distributed evenly on
both feet.
•
Cut only one log at a time.
•
Support small logs on a saw horse or
another log while bucking.
•
Keep a clear cutting area. Make sure that
no objects can contact the guide bar nose
and chain during cutting as this can cause
kickback. Refer to Kickback earlier in this
manual.
•
When bucking on a slope, always stand
on the uphill side of the log. To maintain
complete control of the chainsaw when
cutting through the log, release the
cutting pressure near the end of the cut
without relaxing your grip on the chainsaw
handles. Do not let the chain contact the
ground. After completing the cut, wait for
the saw chain to stop before you move the
chainsaw. Always stop the motor before
moving from tree to tree.
13
Path of
safe retreat
HINGE
2 in. (5 cm) OR 1/10 DIA
Notch-Approx.
1/3 Diameter
of trunk
Back cut
2" (5cm)
Hinge
Wedge