Felling the tree warning – Echo Chain Saw CS-400 User Manual

Page 19

CS-400

FELLING THE TREE

WARNING

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-de-

gree 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 op-

posite 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 kick-

back. 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)