OPERATION
PRUNING
Pruning is the removal of a limb or branch from a
standing tree.
WARNING.
Do not use an unstable
foothold or ladder. Do not overreach. Do
not saw above shoulder height. Always
use both hands to hold the saw. First cut
up from the bottom and finish down from
the top.
FELLING
Felling is the term for cutting down a tree. Small
trees up to 6-7 inches (15-18cm) in diameter are
usually cut in a single cut. Larger trees require
notch cuts. Notch cuts determine the direction the
tree will fall.
WARNING.
Do NOT fell trees unless you
have received the appropriate training.
A retreat path (Fig.21- A) should be
planned and cleared as necessary
before cuts are started. The retreat path
should extend back and diagonally to the
rear of the expected line of fall, as
illustrated.
NOTE:
Direction of fall (Fig.21-B) is
controlled by the notching cut. Before
any cuts are made, consider the location
of larger branches and natural lean of
the tree to determine the way the tree
will fall.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR FELLING TREES
Normally felling consists of 2 main cutting opera-
tions, notching (Fig.22-C) and making the felling
cut (Fig.22-D).
Start making the upper notch cut (Fig.22-C) on the
side of the tree facing the felling direction
(Fig.22-E).
Be sure you don’t make the lower cut too deep in-
to the trunk.
The notch (Fig.22-C) should be deep enough to
create a hinge (Fig.22-F) of sufficient width and
strength. The notch should be wide enough to
direct the fall of the tree for as long as possible.
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
Fig. 22
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