15
OPERATION (Cont.)
A buttress root is a large root extending from the trunk of the tree above the ground.
Remove large buttress roots prior to felling (Fig. 25).
2. Remove the resulting loose section from the work area.
3. Remove any remaining large buttress roots.
FELLING
Felling is the term for cutting down a tree. When felling a tree, it is important to heed
the following warnings to reduce the risk of serious injury:
Do not cut down trees having an extreme lean or large trees with rotten limbs,
loose bark or hollow trunks. Have these trees pushed or dragged down with heavy
equipment, then cut them up.
Do not cut trees near electrical wires or buildings. Leave this operation for
professionals.
Check the tree for damaged or dead branches that could fall and cause serious
personal injury.
Periodically glance at the top of the tree during the back cut to see if the tree is
going to fall in the desired direction.
If the tree starts to fall in the wrong direction, or the saw gets caught or hung up
during the fall, leave the saw and evacuate the area immediately!
When bucking and felling operations are being performed by two or more persons,
at the same time, the felling operation should be separated from the bucking
operation by a distance of at least twice the height of the tree being felled. Trees
should not be felled in a manner that would endanger any person, strike any utility
line or cause any property damage.If the tree does make contact with any utility line,
The operator should keep on the uphill side of terrain, as the tree is likely to roll or
slide after it is felled.
Pick your escape route (or routes in case the intended route is blocked). Clear the
immediate area around the tree and make sure there are no obstructions in your
planned path of retreat. Clear the path of safe retreat approximately 135° from the
planned line of fall (Fig. 26).
Consider the force and direction of the wind, the lean and balance of the tree and
the location of large limbs.
along a line different from its natural line of fall.
Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, staples and wire from the tree where felling
cuts are to be made.
Small trees, up to 15-18cm in diameter, are usually felled in a single cut. Larger
trees require a process consisting of two main cutting operations: a notched
undercut followed by a felling back cut.
1. Notched Undercut. This cut determines the direction that the tree will fall. It
should be made on the side of the tree facing the felling direction. Cut a notch
about 1/3 the diameter of the trunk in the side of the tree. Make the notch cuts so
they intersect at a right angle to the line of fall. This notch should be cleaned out
