Title: Explain procedures for felling trees.
Course: Community Forestry and Tree Management (18502-III) > Section: Examining Tree Care Safety

Explanation should include

- maintaining situational awareness
  - analyzing the felling job
  - checking the base of the tree
  - examining the surrounding terrain
  - examining the immediate work area
  - considering climber and ground crew safety precautions
- felling problem trees or snags first
- undercutting all trees exceeding five inches (127 mm) in diameter-at-breast-height (DBH) before making a backcut
- inspecting tree for a dead top, loose bark, limbs, and other debris leaning or hanging into it
- using a hatchet or axe, sounding completely around the trunk of any large trees to check for rot
- observing for other trees and tops that may fall in an undetermined direction when hit by a falling tree
- undercutting and back cutting all trees at a safe standing height
- never trusting holding wood in partly rotted trees
- never making any side cuts or corner cuts in hollow trees or trees with heart rot unless an adequate hinge can be maintained
- making the proper face/undercut with the opening large enough to control the tree nearly to the ground
- making the downhill or off cut first
- beginning the backcut by inserting wedges into the kerf as soon as practical
- continuing to cut until the desired amount of wood holds the tree
- ensuring that sloping/horizontal cuts do not cross one another
- never leaving a tree partially cut (i.e., always finishing the felling job before leaving with the exception where hazards are unusually significant, leave trees standing, ribbon the area with hazard tape, or a suitable substitute, and notify the immediate supervisor)
- never climbing a lodged tree
- notifying nearby workers and the immediate supervisor of the hazard
- pulling the lodged tree down by tractor, winch, or other mechanical means whenever possible
- before returning to work on the felled tree, checking all snags and adjacent trees for broken limbs, log chunks, loose bark, and overhead hazards.

Teacher Resource:

- Health and Safety Code Handbook, United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service (https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5423449.pdf).

Process/Skill Questions:

- Why should a hinge be used when felling a tree?
- What purpose does a wedge serve?
- What hazards can occur when felling a tree?
- Why should some trees be limbed or topped before they are felled?
- What safety hazards are faced when limbing and topping trees?
- What is the job of the ground crew when limbing and topping trees?