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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, IFTHE
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
REMOVE THE SAW. KEEP EVERYONE AWAY
FROM THE TREE IN ALL DIRECTIONS.
DETERMINE THE NATURAL FALL DIRECTION
• Wind - A tree evenly balanced wiltfall in the same direc-
tion the wind is blowing.
• Lean - Use a carpenter's level or plumbbob to deter-
. mine if tree has a natural tean, A leaning tree will tend to
fall in direction of lean.
• • Shape - A tree wilt tend to fall towards side that is more
heavily branched.
• Other Factors - Contacting or nearby trees, buildings, or
wires can influence the direction the tree will fall.
CUTTING PROCEDURE (Fig. 12)
After determining the Natura! 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) AVAI_BLE FOR USE IF NEEDED.
• Use some means to visually mark the Natural Fall
Direction.
° Mark your notch cut on the Natural Fall Direction side of
the tree approximately 18-24 inches above the ground.
• :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 idegree .angle until yoly
meet the top notch cut. Remove notch of wood.' .... _....
° On the side of the tree opposite the notch cut, make the
felling cut. The fe!ling cut should be 2 inches above the
center point of the notch cut. 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 damage.
• Cracking sounds, widening of the felling cut, movement
in the 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 tall.
m
Felling Direction
Top
Notch
Cut
Bottom
Notch
Cut
Felling
F Cut
....... t
Buttress
Root
• .Ogure 12.:
If your chain saw binds in the felling cut, you have three
options:
• if the wrong direction of fal! is acceptable, carefully
remove the feffing wedge. Cut deeper in the notch side of
the 'tree until tree starts to fall.
• If the wrong direction of fall is not 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
• Clearthe work area of debris where you can have secure
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, Ioose_bark,::nails,staples; and wire
.._._fromthe .treewhere_cuts_m:_o be made, _ . ......
-.Plan to stand on the up-hill;side,when cutting on a slope.
•.--Planaclearretreat_path-.to-the rear and diagonal to the
line of fall.
• Large buttress roots should be removed prior to notch
cut.
• Use a wedge if there is any chance that the tree will not
fall in the desired direction.
• We recommend you 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.
-13-
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