Loading ...
Loading ...
Loading ...
OPERATION
TREE FELLING
WARNING:
IF THE TRUNK OR LIMBS ARE ROTTING,
THEY CAN FALL UNEXPECTEDLY AND
CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY.
AS YOU MAKE YOUR FELLING CUT, IF THE
SAW APPEARS TO BE BINDING, THE TREE
IS STARTING TO FALL IN THE WRONG
DIRECTION. IMMEDIATELY STOP THE SAW
AND USE A FELLING WEDGE AND MAUL
(HAMMER) TO FORCE THE FELLING CUT
OPEN. THE WEDGE WILL HOLD THE
FELLING CUT OPEN ALLOWING YOU TO
REMOVETHE SAW. KEEP EVERYONE AWAY
FROM THE TREE IN ALL DIRECTIONS.
DETERMINETHE NATURAL FALL DIRECTION
• Wind - A tree evenly balanced will fall in the same direc-
tion the wind is blowing.
• Lean - Use a carpenter's level or plumb bob to deter-
mine if tree has a natural leanoA leaning tree will tend to
fall in direction of leano
• Shape - A tree will tend to fall towards side that is more
heavily branched.
• Other Factors - Contacting or nearby trees, buildings, or
wires can influencethe direction the tree will fall.
CUTTING PROCEDURE (Fig. 22)
After determining theNatural Fall Direction, the tree should
be cut as follows:
IMPORTANT: BEFORE FELLING A TREE, MAKE SURE
YOU HAVE AT LEAST 3 FELLING WEDGES AND A
MAUL (HAMMER) AVAILABLE FOR USE IF NEEDED°
• Use some means to visually mark the Natural Fail
Direction,
• Mark your notch cut on the Natural Fall Direction side of
the tree approximately 18-24 inches above the ground,r
• Cut top of the notch first at a 45 degree angle° Saw
through 1/3 of the width of the tree,
• Cut bottom of the notch at a 45 degree angle until you
meet the top notch cuL Remove notch of wood.
• On the side of the tree opposite the notch cut, make the
felling cut.The foiling cut should be 2 inches above the
center point of the notch cuL Before the felling cut is
complete, use wedges to open the cut when necessary
to control the direction of the fall..Use wood or plastic
wedges, but never steel or iron, to avoid kickback and
chain damager
• Cracking sounds, widening of the felling cut, movement
inthe upper branches are all signs that the tree is ready
to fall,
• As tree begins to fall, turn off saw, and move quickly
away from direction of fall.
Felling Direction
Bottom
Notch
Cut
I
I
I
Buttress
Root
Figure 22
If your chain saw binds in the felling cut, you have three
options:
• If the wrong direction of fall is acceptable, carefully
remove the felling wedge°Cut deeper in the notchside of
the tree until tree starts to fall.
. If the wrong direction of fall isnot acceptable, attempt to
use one or more felling wedges to force the tree in the
original direction of fall Do so by driving the wedges
deeper into the felling cut°
• Keep everyone away from the tree in all directions and
then seek professional help!
FELLING TiPS
• Clear the workarea ofdebris where you can havesecure
footing,.
. Make sure there is enough room for the tree to fall,
Maintain a distance of 2 1/2 tree lengths from the near-
est person or other objects. Engine noise can drown out
a warning call
• Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, staples, and wire
from the tree where cuts are to be made.
° Plan to stand on the up-hill side when cutting on a sloper
• Plan a clear retreat path to the rear and diagonalto the
line of fall.
* Large buttress roots should be removed prior to notch
cut.
. Use a wedge ifthere isany chance that the tree will not
fall in the desired direction.
. We recommendyou cut branches below shoulder height
before felling tree,,(See Limbing and Pruning).
Be alert to signs that the tree is ready to fall:
• Cracking sounds.
• Widening of the felling cut.
• Movement in the upper branches_
-15-
Loading ...
Loading ...
Loading ...