Echo X7503196704 - Manual (Page 19)

19
CS-450
FELLING THE TREE
1
2
3
Felling cut
Hinge
Direction of fall
First cut
Notch
Second cut
One-third tree diameter
Direction of fall
5 cm (2 in.)
5 cm (2 in.)
45°
45°
Not this way
Retreat
Retreat
3 m (10 feet)
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.
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!