Echo CS-550P Instruction Manual - page 20

18

CS-550P

FELLING THE 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 (10 feet) from the trunk to avoid

the trunk kicking back over the stump.

Begin the cut on the side to which the tree is to fall.

Cut a notch about 1/3 of the way into the tree. The

position of this notch is important since the tree will

try to fall “into” the notch.

The felling cut is made on the side opposite the

notch and at a level about 5 cm (2 in.) above the

bottom of the notch.

Do not try to cut through to the notch with the felling

cut.

The remaining wood between the notch cut and

felling cut about 5 cm (2 in.) will act as a hinge

when the tree falls, guiding it in the desired

direction.

When the tree starts to fall, kill 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, 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.

1

2

3

Felling cut

Hinge

Direction of  fall

First cut

Notch

Second cut

One-third tree diameter

Direction of fall

5 cm (2 in.)

5 cm (2 in.)

45°

45°

Not this way

Retreat

Retreat

3 m (10 feet)