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The Five-Step Felling Plan By Ken Palmer
The primary definition of an accident is an unplanned event. Going deeper, it stands to reason that to avoid acci- dents, we must plan our work and work our plan. When working with, in and around trees, critical thinking is es- sential to having and using a system- atic planning approach, and optimizing safety, skill and productivity. This five- step felling plan method incorporates up-to-date cutting methods widely used by professional chainsaw operators worldwide. Using the five-step felling plan will help you to achieve successful results consistently. 1. IDENTIFY HAZARDS AND THE HEIGHT OF THE TREE Decide on the most desirable direction to fell the tree. Use a reliable method to determine the height of the tree rela- tive to the direction of fall. Look for tree defects, decay, electrical conductors, or any other characteristics of the tree that may affect the felling plan. Consid- er obstacles within the felling site such as structures, pavement and outdoor furnishings. Some can be moved, while others will have to be avoided. Assess the strength and direction of the wind.
2. ASSESS THE SIDE LEAN This will determine whether the hinge will hold and whether you will need to remove some weight from the bad side. Advanced tree-felling methods may incorporate side lean rigging into the plan and operation to mitigate risk and improve accuracy. 3. ESCAPE ROUTE Always plan and walk your escape route before you begin the felling op- eration. The escape route should be at a 45-degree angle opposite the felling direction. Be sure to walk your escape route before making any felling cuts and clear any obstacles or hazards your path before beginning to cut/fall the tree. Remember to use your escape route as soon as or even before the tree begins to fall if it is being pulled over. 4. HINGE PLAN The face notch and hinge are critical to safe, accurate and consistent felling re- sults. Plan the length, depth, thickness and placement of the notch. Determine the desired hinge opening. ArborMaster recommends an open-face notch. 5. BACK-CUT METHOD The back cut is oen taken for grant- ed, yet it is oen the cause of felling accidents. Forward or back lean may determine what kind of back cut you will use: a straightforward back cut or a bore-cut method. The degree of forward or back lean may determine how many wedges will be needed and/or whether a pull rope will be necessary as well
The face notch and hinge are critical to safe, accurate and consistent felling results.
as how much power will be required to pull/move the trees center of mass over the pivot point, or the hinge. Re- member that if the tree is too thin there may not be enough wood for a notch, hinge, bore cut and holding strap. In that case it will be necessary to use the straightforward back cut. In that case, if the tree leans forward, ArborMaster would advise using a method of bind- ing the tree just above the face notch to avoid barber chairing. Remember to finish the felling cut on the “good” side of the tree and use your escape route as soon as the tree begins to fall.
Ken Palmer, President ArborMaster®
Remember to finish the felling cut on the “good” side of the tree and use your escape route as soon as the tree begins to fall.
Decide on the most desirable direction to fell the tree. Photos courtesy of the author.
50 | ArborTIMES Winter 2023
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