21
Felling a tree
A falling tree can seriously damage anything it may hit - a car, a house, a fence, a power-line
or another tree.
There are ways to make a tree fall where you want it, so first decide where that is!
Before cutting, clear the area around the tree.
You will need good footing while working and you should be able to work the saw without hit-
ting any obstacles.
Next select a path of retreat.
When the tree begins to fall you should retreat away from the direction of fall at a 45-degree
angle and at least 3 m from the trunk to avoid the trunk kicking back over the stump.
Begin the cut on the side to which the tree is to fall.
Notch: 1/3 of diameter and 30
o
to 45
o
angle
Back cut: 2.5 to 5 cm higher
Uncut hinge wood: 1/10 of diameter
Cut a notch approximately 1/3 of the way into the tree.
The position of this notch is important since the tree will try to fall "into" the notch.
The felling cut is made on the side opposite the notch.
Make the felling cut by placing spiked bumper 2.5 cm to 5 cm above the bottom of the notch
and stop cutting at approximately 1/10 of diameter to the inner edge of the notch in order to
leave the uncut portion of the wood as a hinge.
1. Notch
cuts
2. Back
cut
3. Wedges
(when
room)
4. Fall
A: Leave 1/10 of diameter hinge
Do not try to cut through to the notch with the felling cut.
The remaining wood between the notch cut and felling cut will act as a hinge when the tree
falls, guiding it in the desired direction.
When the tree starts to fall, stop the engine, place the saw on the ground and make your retreat
quickly.
Fell big tree.
1. Notching
cuts
2. Draw-across
method
3. Back
cut
4. Draw-across
method
5. Felling
cuts
A: Wedges
To fell big trees with a diameter exceeding twice the bar length, start the notching cuts from
one side and draw the saw through to the other side of the notch.
Start the back cut on one side of the tree with the spiked bumper engaged, pivoting the saw
through to form the desired hinge on that side.
Then remove the saw for the second cut.
Insert the saw in the first cut very carefully so as not to cause kickback.
The final cut is made by drawing the saw forward in the cut to reach the hinge.
