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• Release the throttle trigger as soon as
the cut is completed, allowing the en-
gine to idle. If you run the saw at full
throtfie without a cuttthg load, unneces-
sary wear can occur to the chain, bar,
and engine. It is recommended that
the engine not be operated for lon-
ger than 30 seconds at full throttle.
• To avoid losing controlwhen cut is com-
plete, do not put pressure on saw at end
of cut.
• Stop the engine before setting the saw
down after cutting.
TREE FELLING TECHNIQUES
_I_WARNING: Check for broken or
dead branches which can fatl while cutfing
causing serious injury. Do not cut near bui_d-
thgs or etectboal wires Jfyou do not know the
direction oftreefall, norcut at night since you
will not be ale to see well, nor during bad
weathersuch as rain, snow, or strong winds,
etc. If the tree makes contact with any utility
line, the utility company should be notified
immediately.
• Carefully plan your sawing operation in ad-
vance.
• Cleartheworkarea. You needacleararea
all around the tree so you can have secure
footing.
• 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.
• Study the natural conditions that can cause
the tree to fall in a particular direction.
Natural condifions that can cause a tree to
fall in a parficular direction include:
• The wind direction and speed.
• The lean of the tree. The lean of a tree
might not be apparent due to uneven or
sloping terrain. Use a piumb or level to de-
termine the direcfion of tree lean.
• Weight and branches on one side.
• Surrounding trees and obstacles.
Look for decay and rot. If thetrunk is rotted,
it can snap and fall toward the operatoE
Check for broken or dead branches which
can fall on you while cutting.
Make sure there is enough room for the tree
to fall. Maintain a distance of 2=1/2 tree
lengths from the nearest person or other ob-
jects. Engine noise can drown out a warning
call.
Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, sta-
ples, and wire from the tree where cuts are to
be made.
Plan a clear retreat path to the rear and diag-
onal to the line of fall.
Plan a clear retreat path
_'"÷- "O" u,,,,,,+ - Direction of Fall
FELLING LARGE TREES
(6 inches (15 cm) in diameter or iarger)
The notch method is used to fell large trees.
A notch is cut on the side of the tree in thede-
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 making the notch. If us-
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
ofthetree. Next complete the notch bycut-
ting the bottom of the notch. See illustra-
tion. Once the notch is cut remove the
notch of wood from the tree.
Final (felling) cut here, 2 inches
(5 cm) above center of notch.
I/
Notch ....... _2"
Second cut
• 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 5 cm) higher than the center of
the notch. Th sw eave 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.
Hinge holds tree on stump and helps
control fall
Opening
of felling
Ctosing of
notch
NOTE: Before felling cut is complete, use
wedges to open the cut if necessary to
controtthedJrectJon 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.
11
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