Felling the tree – Echo CS-550P Serial C10712001001 - C10712999999 User Manual

Page 20

CS-550P

FELLING THE TREE

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
and at least 3 m (10 feet) from the trunk 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. 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 5 cm (2 in.) 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 5 cm (2 in.) 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.

Felling cut

Hinge

Direction of fall

First cut

Notch

Second cut

One-third tree diameter

Direction of fall

5 cm (2 in.)

45°

Not this way

Retreat

3 m (10 feet)