Wen 40417

6
FELLING A TREE
When bucking and felling operations are being performed by two or
more persons at the same time, the felling operations should be sepa-
rated 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 company should be notified immediately.
The chain saw operator should keep on the uphill side of the terrain as
the tree is likely to roll or slide downhill after it is felled.
An escape path should be planned and cleared as necessary before
cuts are started. The escape path should extend back and diagonally
to the rear of the expected line of fall as illustrated in Figure BB.101.
Before felling is started, consider the natural lean of the tree, the loca-
tion of larger branches and the wind direction to judge which way the
tree will fall. Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, staples and wire
from the tree.
Make the notch 1/3 the diameter of the tree, perpendicular to the
direction of falls as illustrated in Figure BB.102. Make the lower hori-
zontal notching cut first. This will help to avoid pinching either the saw
chain or the guide bar when the second notch is being made.
FELLING BACK A CUT
Make the felling back cut at least 50 mm higher than the horizontal
SPECIFIC RULES FOR CHAINSAWS
notching cut as illustrated in Figure BB.102. Keep the felling back cut parallel to the horizontal notching cut. Make
the felling back cut so 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.
As the felling gets close to the hinge, the tree should begin to fall. If there is any chance that the tree may not fall in
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 aluminium to open the cut and drop the tree along the desired line of fall.
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 A TREE
Limbing is removing the branches from a fallen tree. When limbing leave larger lower limbs to support the log off
the ground. Remove the small limbs in one cut as illustrated in Figure BB.103. Branches under tension should be
cut from the bottom up to avoid binding the chain saw.