To help you work more comfortably, rest your left shoulder against the tree and.

Nov 27, Open face notch with large opening angle Used for trees on flat and sloping terrain. Opening angle of more than 70° for greater control and precision. The bottom cut is angled downwards from the felling cut. The felling cut is in line with or slightly above the level of the directional Estimated Reading Time: 6 mins. When felling a tree, always start by making a directional notch (also known as a face cut) on the side of the tree where you want it to fall.

This allows you to control the direction of the fall – essential to avoiding accidents and injury to you and anyone nearby. Simply put, making the directional notch correctly is vital to safely felling a tree.

Open Face Notch. Step 2.

When working on a slope, prevent a log from rolling.

Stand beside the tree and behind your saw, with your chainsaw positioned to begin cutting the top cut of the notch aiming the sights in the direction you want to fall the tree. The felling sights are raised ridges, indentations or black lines and are located on the top and both sides of the saw body on most professional.

A simple way to avoid hinge failure and loss of control when falling trees is to cut a notch opening that allows the hinge to stay working and in control until the tree is on the ground.

This requires a notch opening of 70 to 90 degrees. This can be easily cut with the modern day STIHL chain saw.

Use the felling lever, with your knees bent and back straight.

I do not ask you to take my word for it. Work facing the felling direction. This allows you to saw the notch and the back (or felling) cut from the same side of the tree. Take up a firm stance slightly behind the tree.

To help you work more comfortably, rest your left shoulder against the tree and if necessary, support you right arm on your right knee.

Felling techniques Tree felling consists of two basic actions: bird’s-mouth (or directional cut, face cut) and the main cut. Start the tree falling from the upper notch at an angle approximately of 45° to the chosen felling direction. The depth of the notch should be about 1/4 the diameter of the trunk. Sep 01, While standing away from the tree, at a position 90 degrees to the direction of fall, sight up to the top of the tree using a weighted string or an axe as a plumb and note the location on the ground.

The back lean is the distance from this point along the intended direction of fall to.