20
OPERATION
• Felling Backcut. As the felling cut gets close to the hinge, the tree should begin to fall.
If there is any chance the tree may not fall in the desired direction or it may rock back
and bind the saw chain, stop cutting before the felling cut is complete and use wedges
of wood, plastic or aluminum to open the cut and drop the tree along its desired line of
fall. Make the backcut level and horizontal, and at a minimum of 2 in. (5 cm) above the
horizontal cut of the notch.
• On large diameter trees, stop the back cut before it is deep enough for the tree to either fall or
settle back on the stump. Then insert soft wooden or plastic wedges into the cut so they do.
• As tree starts to fall, stop the chainsaw and put it down immediately. Retreat along the
cleared path, but watch the action in case something falls your way.
2” (5cm
)
Notch-
Approx.
1/3
Diameter
of trunk
Planned Line
of fall
Path of
safe retreat
Back cut
Hinge
Wedge
Back cut
Hinge
2in. (5cm) OR 1/10 DIA
