8
FELLING LARGE TREES
(6 inches in diameter or larger)
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.
NOTCH CUT AND FELLING THE TREE
S
Make 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. See il-
lustration. Once the notch is cut remove
the notch of wood from the tree.
S
After removing the cutout of wood, make
the felling cut on the opposite side of the
notch. This is done by making a cut about
two 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.
Notch
First cut
Second cut
Final cut here. 2 inches
above center of notch.
Opening
of felling
cut
Closing of
notch
Hinge holds tree on stump and helps
control fall
NOTE
:
Before felling cut is complete, use
wedges to open the cut when necessary to
control the direction of fall. Use wood or
plastic wedges, but never steel or iron, to
avoid kickback and chain damage.
S
Be alert to signs that the tree is ready to
fall: cracking sounds, widening of the fell-
ing cut, or movement in the upper
branches.
S
As tree starts to fall, stop saw, put it down,
and get away quickly on your planned re-
treat path.
S
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.
To avoid injury, do not cut down a partially
fallen tree with your saw.
CUTTING A FALLEN TREE
(BUCKING)
Bucking is the term used for cutting a fall-
en tree to the desired log length.
WARNING:
Do not stand on the log be-
ing cut. Any portion can roll causing loss of
footing and control. Do not stand downhill
of the log being cut.
I
mportant points
S
Cut only one log at a time.
S
Cut shattered wood very carefully; sharp
pieces of wood could be flung toward op-
erator.
S
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.
S
Do not cut in an area where logs, limbs,
and roots are tangled. Drag the logs into a
clear area before cutting by pulling out ex-
posed and cleared logs first.
TYPES OF CUTTING USED
FOR BUCKING
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. Do not
attempt to restart your saw when it is
pinched or hung in a log.
Overcutting
begins on the top side of the
log with the saw against the log. When over-
cutting use light downward pressure.
Overcutting
Undercutting
Undercutting
involves cutting on the un-
derside of the log with top of saw against the
log. When undercutting use light upward
pressure. Hold saw firmly and maintain con-
trol. The saw will tend to push back toward
you.
WARNING:
Never turn saw upside
down to undercut. The saw cannot be con-
trolled in this position.
Second cut
First cut on pressure side of log
