13
2”
45°
2”
FELLING A TREE
DIRECTION
OF FALL
Direction of fall
Hinge
Felling cut
First cut
Notch
Second cut
One-third tree
diameter
LIMBING
WARNING
DANGER
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 hitting 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
to avoid the trunk kicking back over the stump.
Begin the cut on the side to which the tree is to fall. Cut a
notch about 1/3 of the way into the tree as shown. 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 and at a level about 2” above the
bottom of the notch. Do not try to cut through to the notch
with the felling cut. The remaining wood between the
notch cut and felling cut (about 2”) will act as a hinge
when the tree falls, guiding it in the desired direction.
When the tree starts to fall, kill the engine, place the saw
on the ground and make your retreat quickly.
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, 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.
Limbing a fallen tree is much the same as bucking. Never
limb on the tree that you are standing. When limbing,
caution is the word. Be careful of the tip touching other
limbs. Always use both hands.
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