USING THE NOTCH METHOD
The notch method is used to fell large trees. A notch
is cut on the side of the tree in the desired direction of
fall. After a felling cut is made on the opposite side of
tree, the tree will tend to fall into the notch.
NOTE: If the tree has large buttress roots, remove
them before making the notch. If using saw to
remove buttress roots, keep saw chain from
contacting ground to prevent dulling of the chain.
Make the notch cut by cutting the top of the notch
first. Cut through 1/3 of the diameter of the tree. Next
complete the notch by cutting the bottom of the notch.
Once the notch is cut remove the notch of wood from
the tree.
After removing the wood from the notch, make the
felling cut on the opposite side of the notch. This is
done by making a cut about 5 centimeters (2 inches)
higher than the center of the notch. This will leave
enough uncut wood between the felling cut and the
notch to form a hinge. This hinge will help prevent the
tree from falling in the wrong direction.
NOTE: Before felling cut is complete, use wedges to
open the cut if necessary to control the direction of
fall. To avoid kickback and chain damage, use wood
or plastic wedges, but never steel or iron wedges.
Be alert to signs that the tree is ready to fall: cracking
sounds, widening of the felling cut, or movement in the
upper branches.
As tree starts to fall, stop saw, put it down, and get
away quickly on your planned retreat path.
DO NOT cut down a partially fallen tree with your saw.
Be extremely cautious with partially fallen trees that
may be poorly supported. When a tree doesn’t fall
completely, set the saw aside and pull down the tree
with a cable winch, block and tackle, or tractor.
CUTTING A FALLEN TREE
(BUCKING)
Bucking is the term used for cutting a fallen tree to the
desired log size.
a
WARNING! Do not stand on the log being
cut. Any portion can roll causing loss of
footing and control. Do not stand downhill of
the log being cut.
IMPORTANT POINTS:
•
Cut only one log at a time.
•
Cut shattered wood very carefully; sharp pieces of
wood could be flung toward operator.
•
Use a sawhorse to cut small logs. Never allow
another person to hold the log while cutting and
never hold the log with your leg or foot.
•
Do not cut in an area where logs, limbs, and roots
are tangled such as in a blown down area. Drag
the logs into a clear area before cutting by pulling
out exposed and cleared logs first.
• Make sure the chain will not strike the ground or
any other object during or after cutting.
a
WARNING! If saw becomes pinched or hung
in a log, don’t try to force it out. You can lose
control of the saw resulting in injury and/
or damage to the saw. Stop the saw, drive a
wedge of plastic or wood into the cut until
the saw can be removed easily. Restart the
saw and carefully reenter the cut. To avoid
kickback and chain damage, do not use a
metal wedge. Do not attempt to restart your
saw when it is pinched or hung in a log.
TYPES OF BUCKING CUTS
Overcutting begins on the top side of the log with the
bottom of the saw against the log. When overcutting
use light downward pressure.
Undercutting involves cutting on the underside of the
log with top of saw against the log. When undercutting
use light upward pressure. Hold saw firmly and
maintain control. The saw will tend to push back
toward you.
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