Echo CS-1201 - Manual (Page 11)

11 CS-1201
FELLING A 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 from the trunk to avoid the trunk kicking back
over the stump. (See figure right, top)
Begin the cut on the side to which the tree is to fall.
Cut a notch approximately 1/3 of the way into the tree.
(See figure A)
The position of this notch is important since the tree will
try to fall “into” the notch. (See figure A)
The felling cut is made on the side opposite the notch.
Make the felling cut by placing spiked bumper 2.5 cm to
5 cm above the bottom of the notch and stop cutting at
approximately 1/10 of diameter to the inner edge of the
notch (See figure B) in order to leave the uncut portion
of the wood as a hinge.
Do not try to cut through to the notch with the felling cut.
The remaining wood between the notch cut and felling
cut will act as a hinge when the tree falls, guiding it in
the desired direction.
When the tree starts to fall, stop 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 with the spiked
bumper engaged, 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. (See figure C)
Side view
Backcut
2.5 to 5 cm
Figure A
Wedges
(when room)
Top view
Leave 1/10 of diameter
Hinge
Notch cuts
FALL
90°
Figure B
1
2
3
4
5
Draw-across
method
Notching cuts
Wedges
Felling cuts
Top view
45°
45°
Not this way
Retreat
Fall
Retreat
1/10 of diameter Uncut hinge wood
Notch
1/3 of diameter
Backcut
3 m
Figure C