Use and Care Manual
20
OPERATION
REMOVING BUTTRESS ROOTS
A buttress root is a large root extending from the trunk of the tree above the ground. Remove
large buttress roots prior to felling. Make the horizontal cut into the buttress rst, followed by the
vertical cut. Remove the resulting loose section from the work area. Follow the correct tree felling
procedure as stated in Proper Procedure For Tree Felling after you have removed the large
buttress roots.
PROPER PROCEDURE FOR TREE FELLING
• Felling a tree — When bucking and felling operations are being performed by two or
more persons at the same time, the felling operation should be separated from the
bucking operation by a distance of at least twice the height of the tree being felled. Trees
should not be felled in a manner that would endanger any person, strike any utility line or
cause any property damage. If the tree does make contact with any utility line, the utility
company should be notied immediately.
• Operator should keep on the uphill side of terrain as the tree is likely to roll or slide after
it is felled.
• Pick your escape route (or routes in case the intended route is blocked). Clear the
immediate area around the tree and make sure there are no obstructions in your planned
path of retreat. Clear the path of safe retreat approximately 135° from the planned line of
fall.
• Consider the force and direction of the wind, the lean and balance of the tree, and the
location of large limbs. These things inuence the direction in which the tree will fall. Do
not try to fell a tree along a line different from its natural line of fall.
• Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, staples, and wire from the tree where felling cuts
are to be made.
• Notched Undercut. Cut a notch about 1/3 the diameter of the trunk on the side of the
tree. Make the notch cuts so they intersect at a right angle to the line of fall. This notch
should be cleaned out to leave a straight line. To keep the weight of the wood off the
saw, always make the lower cut of the notch before the upper cut.
Vertical Cut
Loose section
Horizontal
Cut
Planned Line o
f
f
all
Path of safe retreat
135°from planned
line of fall
Not for Reproduction