Observed Methods for Felling Hardwood Trees with Chain Saws

Chain saws are commonly used by loggers in the southern Appalachian Mountains to fell, limb, top, and buck trees. The relatively low initial cost, light weight, and fast cutting speed of chain saws favor their use for felling trees on rough and often steep mountain slopes. Detailed information concerning the felling methods used by timber cutters in this region is very limited. The felling methods observed in this study are typical of those used by experienced timber cutters in the southern Appalachian Mountains. After determining the direction of tree lean, the brush around the base is usually cleared and the facecut is made. In this study, only the conventional facecut (fig. l), consisting of an approximate horizontal basecut made toward the tree center and a downward sloping notchcut that intersects the basecut, was observed. Generally, the facecut is made on the side of the tree having the greatest lean, prepondence of crown, or desired direction of fall. On steep slopes, the facecut is almost always on the downhill side of the tree. Next, the backcut, an approximate horizontal cut located on the opposite side of the tree, is made toward the center of the tree.