The following are
unacceptable practices:
Wedging Trees with Back Lean
- Determine the height of the tree. This can be estimated quite accurately using one of
these methods:
- Pro-Sight method
- Clinometer method
- Axe handle method
- Determine the diameter (not circumference) of the tree at breast height using a tape.
- Determine the number of segments in the tree by dividing the height (in feet) by the
diameter (in feet).
- Example: a 100 foot tree 24 inches in diameter (2 feet) would yield 50 segments (100 ÷ 2).
- Example: a 100 foot tree 12 inches in diameter (1 foot) would yield 100 segments (100 ÷ 1).
- Determine the amount of back lean (in feet) by plumbing the tree.
Trees That Side Scar Easily

|
|
1. In standard
felling, the sides of the hinge between the notch and the back cut are not sawn when the
tree starts to fall. |

|
|
2. As the tree
falls, there is strain on the sides of the tree along the dotted lines. (circled area) |

|
|
3. Instead of
breaking with the hinge, strips along the side of the tree rip off the stump, resulting in
side scars. |
 |
|
4. To prevent
side scarring, corner to a depth of one inch before making the back cut. |
|
|
Felling Larger Trees with Slight Lean or with Heavy Tops
|

|
|
The notch is made in the normal manner (1/3 dia. of tree). |

|
|
Make corner cuts. |

|
|
The number one cut is made as per the diagram, at the same height above the notch as a standard back cut. |

|
|
The number two cut is made as per the diagram, at the same plane as cut number one. |
 |
|
The number three cut is made at the same plane as the former cuts, leaving the standard thickness of hinge. |
Heavy Forward Leaners
(The boring technique)
|

|
|
Begin by making a shallow notch (1/4 to 1/3 dia.
of tree). |

|
|
Next, holding the saw bar horizontal to the plane
of the notch and at a slightly higher plane, the tree
is bored out cutting back from the notch, leaving a good hinge and sufficient holding wood. |

|
|
The same boring procedure is then performed on
the other side of the tree, ensuring that the two boring cuts meet properly, and leaving a strap of holding wood. |
 |
|
Then the back strap is severed by a cut horizontal
to the boring cut, one to two inches below the
boring cut; the holding wood at the back severs
and the tree falls, guided by the hinge. |
|