TREE FELLING TECHNIQUES
CAUTION
If the saw gets caught or hung up in a tree during felling,
leave the saw and save yourself. The saw can be replaced
and you cannot!
1.
Pick your escape route (or routes in case the intended
route is blocked). Clean the immediateareaaround the
tree, and make sure there are no obstructions in your
planned path of retreat.
CLEAR PATH OF
SAFERETREAT
2.
Consider the factors of wind direction and speed, the
natural lean and the balance of the tree, and the loca-
tion of large limbs. These things influence thedirection
in which the tree will fall. Do not try to fell
a
tree along a
line different from its natural line of fall until you have
had considerable experience in felling trees which pre-
sent no problem as to where they will fall.
3.
Take into consideration whether the trunk is sound or
so rotted inside as to snap and crash while being cut.
Also look for broken or dead branches (widow makers)
AND don't go below any widow makers.
4.
In tight situations where a mistake in the direction of
fall could ruin other trees or destroy property, attach a
tether line to the tree as illustrated.
IN DIRECTION PLANNED
ROPES USED
TO CONTROL
DIRECTION OF FALL
5. If the tree is not badly out of balance, cuta notch about
1/3
the diameter of the trunk. This notch whetherstan-
dard or "Humboldt" is made in the side the tree is to fall.
And the cuts of the notch are made 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 uppercut. We illustrate acommon
notch made with a horizontal cut and an angular cut
above it.
AUHumboldt" notch, with the horizontal notch
on top, is made when trees are to be cut for saw log
processing.
UNCUT
B A DIRECTION OF FALL
COMMON NOTCH HUMBOLDT NOTCH
6.
The backcut is always made level and horizontal and at
a minimum of
2
inches (51mm) above the horizontal
cut of the notch. As a guide to placing the back cut
above the notch, figure
10°/o
of the face diameteras the
proper height. Be very careful to make a level back cut,
as a slanted back cut can cause the tree to split or
"barber chair" (see illustration).
7.
You must never
cut
through to the notch. Always leave
a band of wood uncut between the notch and back cut.
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. If the tree starts
over in the wrong direction, or if the saw getscaught or
hung up during the fall, leave the saw and save yourself!
MAKE BACKCUT
2"
OR MORE
ABOVE HORIZONTAL CUT OF
NOTCH
To Next Page
Loading...
Need help?
General