TREE FELLING

Hopefully when a tree is felled the logger properly planned his cut and his retreat path. If not, the logger is exposing himself, his co-workers, and even his family to serious losses. The following are some tips logger should use to make the felling task safer.

• Inspect the tree thoroughly. Look for dead limbs or "widow makers", entwined branches or vines from adjacent trees, and weak root systems. Once a tree inspection is completed, check the surrounding area. Clear ground debris (rocks, dead limbs, etc), live saplings or shrubs within the immediate area, and make a note of possible springpole hazards. Once the tree is on the ground, wait for the tree to settle and watch for any residual trees that continue to sway for widow makers that may fall.
• Most trees lean to one side or the other so determine the side or weighted lean of the tree. A side lean establishes the good and bad side of the tree with respect to the side the chainsaw operator will finish on. The bad side of the tree is the side to which it leans or is weighted. It is preferred that chainsaw operators cut from the opposite or good side of the tree. To estimate the amount of weighted side lean, stand back from the tree along the felling line. Look up into the tree and draw a circle around the outermost limbs of the tree's canopy. From the center of this imaginary circle, drop an imaginary plumb line to the ground. The distance from the spot on the ground to the center of the tree's trunk gives a good estimate of the amount of weighted side lean.
• Plan an escape route or retreat path away from a falling tree. Clear ground debris away from the tree in a line away or opposite the direction of fall and at a 45 degree angle.
• Controlling the fall of a tree is important and to do this, a hinge is necessary. Setting up the correct length and thickness of the hinge is important to avoid pulling fiber from the butt log as the trees falls. As a rule, use approximately 10% of the diameter of the tree (4.5' above the ground) for the thickness of the hinge. It should have equal width across the stump (e.g. a 15" diameter tree should have a 1.5" thick hinge). If, after felling several trees you are getting fiber pull, reduce the thickness of the hinge.

The length of the hinge is important in guiding the direction of tree fall. As a rule, set up a hinge that is approximately 80% of the tree's diameter (4.5' above the ground). A 15" tree will need a 12" hinge.