17
Danger zone
Escape
route
Escape
route
Description of felling: escape routes
Felling direction
Danger zone
Before felling is started, consider the natural lean of the tree, the location of larger branches and the
wind direction to judge which way the tree will fall. Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, staples
and wire from the tree. Make the notch 1/3 the diameter of the tree, perpendicular to the direction of
falls (Figure- Description of felling: undercutting).
Make the lower horizontal notching cut first. This will help to avoid pinching either the saw chain or
the chain bar when the second notch is being made.
FELLING BACK A CUT
Make the felling back cut at least 1.97 in. (50 mm) higher than the horizontal notching cut (Figure-
Description of felling: undercutting). Keep the felling back cut parallel to the horizontal notching cut.
Make the felling back cut so enough wood is left to act as a hinge. The hinge wood keeps the tree
from twisting and falling in the wrong direction. DO NOT cut through the hinge.
As the felling gets close to the hinge, the tree should begin to fall. If there is any chance that the
tree may not fall in desired direction or it may rock back and bind the saw chain, stop cutting before
the felling back cut is complete and use wedges of wood, plastic or aluminum to open the cut and
drop the tree along the desired line of fall.
Direction of fall
Notch
50 mm
Felling back cut
Hinge
Description of felling: undercutting
50 mm
1.97 in.
1.97 in.
