Manual
18
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