English
13
Before felling a tree, carefully consider all conditions
which may e
ff
ect the intended direction, such as:
Angle of the tree. Shape of the crown. Snow load
on the crown.
Wind conditions. Obstacles within tree range (e.g.,
other trees, power lines, roads, buildings, etc.).
WARNING
○
Always observe the general conditions of the
tree. Look for decay and rot in the trunk which
will make it more likely to snap and start to fall
before you expect it.
○
Look for dry branches, which may break and hit
you when you are working.
Always keep animals and people at least twice
the tree length away while felling. Clear away
shrubs and branches from around the tree.
Prepare a path of retreat away from the felling
direction.
Basic
rules
for
felling
trees
Normally the felling consists of two main cutting
operations, notching and making the felling cut.
Start making the upper notch cut on the side of the
tree facing the feeling direction. Look through the
kerf as you saw the lower cut so you do not saw
too deep into the trunk. The notch should be deep
enough to create a hinge of su
ffi
cient width and
strength. The notch opening should be wide enough
to direct the fall of the tree as long as possible. Saw
the felling cut from the other side of the tree between
one and two inches (3–5 cm) above the edge of the
notch. (Fig. 25)
24
25
26
27
Fig. 25
24. Felling direction
25. 45° minimum notch opening
26. Hinge
27. Felling cut
Never saw completely through the trunk. Always
leave a hinge.
The hinge guides the tree. If the trunk is completely
cut through, you lose control over the felling
direction.
Insert a wedge or a felling lever in the cut well before
the tree becomes unstable and starts to move. This
will prevent the guide bar from binding in the felling
cut if you have misjudged the falling direction. Make
sure no people have come into the range of the
falling tree before you push it over.
Felling
cut,
trunk
diameter
more
than
twice
guide
bar
length
Cut a large, wide notch. Then cut a recess into the
center of the notch. Always leave a hinge on both
sides of the center cut. (Fig. 26)
Fig. 26
Complete the felling cut by sawing around the trunk
as in the Fig. 27.
Fig. 27
WARNING
These methods are extremely dangerous
because they involve the use of the nose of
guide bar and can result in kickback.
Only properly trained professionals should
attempt these techniques.
Limbing
Limbing is removing the branches from a feller tree.
WARNING
A majority of kickback accidents occur during
Iimbing.
Do not use the nose of the guide bar. Be
extremely cautious and avoid contacting the
log, other limbs or objects with the nose of the
guide bar. Be extremely cautious of limbs under
tension. They can spring back towards you and
cause loss of control resulting in injury. (Fig. 28)
000Book̲TCS40EA̲US.indb 13
000Book̲TCS40EA̲US.indb 13
2012/08/10 9:30:39
2012/08/10 9:30:39
