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Make the felling back cut at least 2
in. higher than the horizontal
notching cut. Keep the felling back
cut parallel to the horizontal
notching cut. Make the felling back
cut so as to leave enough wood 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 cut gets close to the hinge,
the tree should begin to fall. If there
is any chance that the tree may not
fall in the 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. When the tree
begins to fall, remove the chain
saw from the cut, stop the motor,
put the chain saw down, and then
use the retreat path as planned. Be
alert of overhead limbs falling and
watch your footing.
LIMBING A TREE
Limbing is removing the branches
from a fallen tree. When limbing,
leave the larger lower limbs to
support the log. Remove the small
limbs in one cut. Branches under
tension should be cut from the
bottom up.
BUCKING A LOG
Bucking is cutting a log into lengths.
It is important to make sure your
footing is firm and your weight is
evenly distributed on both feet.
When possible, the log should be
raised and supported by the use of
limbs, logs or chocks. Follow the
simple direction for easy cutting:
1. When the log is supported along
the entire length, it is cut from the
top (over buck).
2. When the log is supported on one
end, cut 1/3 of the diameter from the
underside (under buck). Then make
the finished cut by over bucking to
meet the first cut.
3. When the log is supported on
both ends, cut 1/3 of that diameter
from the top (over buck). Then make
the finished cut by under bucking the
lower 2/3 to meet the first cut.
4. When bucking on a slope,
always stand on the uphill side of
the log. When cutting through, to
maintain complete control, release
the cutting pressure near the end of
the cut without relaxing your grip on
the chain saw handles. Do not let
the chain contact the ground. After
completing the cut, wait for the saw
chain to stop before you move the
chain saw. Always stop the motor
before moving from tree to tree.
