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OPERATION
TREE FELLING
I _ IF THE TRUNK OR MMBS ARE Rot"rING,
_mi.im THEY CAN FALL UNEXPECTEDLY AND
CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY.
AS YOU MAKE YOUR FELLING CUT, IF THE
/ SAW APPEARSTO BE BINDING,THETREE IS
STARTING TO FALL IN THE WRONG DIREC-
/ TION. IMMEDIATELY STOP THE SAW AND
/ USE A FELLING WEDGE AND MAUL (HAM-
/ MER) TO FORCE THE FELUNG 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.
DETERMINETHE NATURAL FALL DIRECTION
• Wind - A treeevenlybalancedwillfallinthe samedirection
the windisblowing,
• Lean - Use a carpenter'slevelor plumbbob to determine
iftree has a naturallean. A leaning tree willtend tofall in
directionof lean.
• Shape - A tree willfend to fall towardssidethat 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 Natural FallDirection, the tree should
be cut as follows:
IMPORTANT: BEFORE FELLING A TREE, MAKE SURE
YOU HAVE AT LEAST 3 FELLINGWEDGES AND A MAUL
(HAMMER) AVAILABLEFOR USE IF NEEDED.
• Use some means to visually mark the Natural Fall
Direction.
• Mark your notch cut on the Natural Fall Directionsideof the
tree approximately 18-24 inches above the ground.
• Cut top ofthe notch first at a 45 degree angle.Sawthrough
1/3 of the width of the tree.
• Cut bottom ofthe notch at a 45 degree angle untilyou meet
the top notch cut. Remove notch of wood.
• On the side of the tree opposite the notch cut, make the
felling cut.The felling cut should be 2 inches abovethe cen-
ter point of the notch cut.Before the felling cut iscomplete,
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 isreadyto fail.
• As tree begins to fall, turn off saw, and move quickly away
from direction of fall
F"n00"O'°n} ,: I
_ I ', ' I Felling
lop i 0 Cut
Notch _ , I /
J./...
I>>'"-" !.... -t="
Bottom II//jV/ I i
Notch ._.._r/1/3 i , Buttress
cut | Tree I L Root
Figure 12
If your chain saw binds in the felling cut, you have three
options:
• Ifthe wrongdirectionoffall isacceptable,carefully remove
the felling v,_lge. CUt deeper in the notchside ofthe tree
untiltree startsto fall.
• If the wrong direction of fall is not acceptable,attempt to
useone or morefelling wedgestoforce thetree intheorig-
inal direc'tionof fall. Do so by drivingthe wedges deeper
intothe felling cut.
• Keep everyoneawayfrom thetreeinalldirectionsand then
seek professionalhelp!
FELLING TIPS
• Clear the work area of debris where you can have secure
footing.
• Make surethereisenough roomforthetreeto fall.Maintain
a distanceof 2 1/2 tree lengthsfromthenearest person or
otherobjects.Engine noisecan drownouta warning call.
• Remove dirt, stones,loose bark, nails,staples, and wire
from the treewhere cutsare to be made.
• Planto standon the uphill sidewhen cuttingon a slope.
• Plan a clear retreatpathto therearand diagonaltothe line
of fall.
• Large buttress roots should be removed prior to notch cut.
• Use a wedge ifthere 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 readytofall:
• Cracking sounds.
• Wideningofthe felling cut.
• Movementin theupper branches.
-13-
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