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Retreat path
USING THE NOTCH METHOD
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.
NOTE: If the tree has large buttress roots,
remove them before making the notch. If using
saw to remove buttress roots, keep saw chain
from contacting ground to prevent dulling of the
chain.
Make the 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. Once the notch is cut remove the notch
of wood from the tree.
After removing the wood from the notch, make the
felling cut on the opposite side of the notch. This is
done by making a cut about two inches (5 cm)
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.
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NOTE: Before felling cut is complete, use
wedges to open the cut if necessary to control
the direction of fall. To avoid kickback and
chain damage, use wood or plastic wedges, but
never steel or iron wedges.
Be alert to signs that the tree is ready to fall:
cracking sounds, widening of the felling cut, or
movement in the upper branches.
As tree starts to fall, stop saw, put it down, and get
away quickly on your planned retreat path.
DO NOT cut down a partially fallen tree with your
saw. 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.
CUTTING A FALLEN TREE (BUCKING)
Bucking is the term used for cutting a fallen tree to
the desired log size.
WARNING! Do not stand on the log being
cut. Any portion can roll causing loss of
footing and control. Do not stand downhill
of the log being cut.
IMPORTANT POINTS
• Cut only one log at a time.
• Cut shattered wood very carefully; sharp pieces
of wood could be flung toward operator.
• 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.
• Do not cut in an area where logs, limbs, and
roots are tangled such as in a blown down area.
Drag the logs into a clear area before cutting by
pulling out exposed and cleared logs first.
• Make sure the chain will not strike the ground or
any other object during or after cutting.
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. To
avoid kickback and chain damage, do not
use a metal wedge. Do not attempt to restart
your saw when it is pinched or hung in a
log.
Use a wedge to remove pinched saw
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