OPERATION
21
FELLING TREES
HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS (See Figure 12)
When felling a tree, it is important that you heed the following warnings to prevent possible
serious injury.
• Do not cut down trees having an extreme lean, or large trees with rotten limbs, loose bark, or
hollow trunks. Have these trees pushed or dragged down with heavy equipment, then cut
them up.
• Do not cut trees near electrical wires or buildings.
• Check the tree for damaged or dead branches that could fall and hit you during felling.
• Periodically glance at the top of the tree during the backcut to assure the tree is going to fall
in the desired direction.
• If the tree starts to fall in the wrong direction, or if the saw gets caught or hung up during the
fall, leave the saw and save yourself!
PROPER PROCEDURE FOR TREE FELLING (See Figure 13)
• 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 immedi-
ate 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.
WARNING:
Do not fell trees during periods of high wind or heavy precipitation. Wait until the hazard-
ous weather has ended.
Fig. 12
45°
45°
90°
135°
135°
90°
135° FROM
PLANNED LINE
OF FALL
PATH
OF
SA
FE RETREAT
PLANNED LINE O
F
FALL
PLANNED
LINE O
F FALL
PATH
OF SAFE
RETREAT
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