ICFR – Chainsaw Safety and Operating Handbook
32
The
second
method allows for the felling of trees in
confined spaces without stumps being present.
•
Drive the machine out at an angle of approximately
80° from the intended felling direction.
•
Tension the rope to hold the tree in the position of
fall.
Figure 35: Method for back pulling the tree without
stumps being present
•
Make the directional notch as for the standard
technique. Make the felling cut leaving more
holding wood opposite the lean.
Figure 36: Felling procedure
•
The tree will free fall, swinging on the rope with
no danger to the operator or equipment.
10.14
c
ut
-
up
treeS
A cut-up tree is where the tree sits back on the felling
cut. It can result from misjudging the lean, failure
to place a wedge in the felling cut, wrong felling
technique or a gust of wind.
Cut-up trees should be taken down immediately or if
that is not possible, and someone is not present to warn
others of the hazard, the risk zone under and around the
tree must be clearly marked and all personnel excluded
from the risk zone until the tree has been brought down.
Never move forward within two tree lengths of the
cut-up tree, except where the second lot of cuts are
made as described below.
The following methods can be used to bring down a
cut-up-tree:
•
If a machine is present, it can assist to push the
tree in the desired direction. Do not pull the cut-up
tree.
•
Wedges can be inserted in the felling cut and
driven home until the tree falls.
•
If the felling cut is too tight for wedges to be
inserted, remove the chainsaw from the cut or
if that is not possible, remove the power head
(if practicable). Re-cut the directional notch and
felling cut in the reverse direction. Make the
second lot of cuts the diameter of the tree above
the first cut as this will reduce the possibility of
splitting. Insert wedges before there is any chance
of the tree sitting back and keep them driven home
as the cut proceeds. Do not attempt to remove the
chainsaw from the original cut whilst the second
lot of cuts are made.
Figure 37: Second lot of felling cuts