724 The yon7'nal of Fo7'cstry. 



that I will guarantee that not a single wood merchant in the Midland 

 counties could be found who would allow his lot of large timber trees, which 

 he has purchased growing, to be felled by the saw in preference to the axe, 

 knowing as he does that saw felling is thoroughly impracticable for all 

 kinds of large park and hedgerow timber. The after-growth spoken 

 of is a secondary consideration, and has nothing whatever to do with the 

 question as it stands, viz., the best way to fell a large tree, say an ash ; 

 and in nine cases out of ten would not be required unless it was in 

 the case of forest timber. As to the question of measurement, it is an 

 utter impossibility to obtain more measurement in the tree if the plan of 

 felling as advocated on page 580 of the Journal is strictly followed out. 

 Hawksto7ie, Salop. RiCHD. Jandeell, Forester. 



Sir, — As this is a subject of the utmost importance to young foresters 

 it is but right that those who have to learn should be so taught as to have 

 a clear understanding of which is the best way to fell a tree. Surely it is 

 that which can be done quickest and easiest, with the least possible waste 

 of timber, considering that labour is scarce and dear, and time is money. 

 At page 580 of the Jotirnal of Foresiry Mr. R. Jandrell condemns Mr. 

 J. C. King's piews, and puts forth his own experience as the lest method to 

 bo followed if we want to do the thing well. Let us consider the two ways 

 in detail, and then some of your timber merchant readers will perhaps 

 kindly say which they prefer. 



First method, lij the axe ; and, as Mr. J. says,let the workman with his 

 mattock clear away all soil from round the stem of the tree, well down on the 

 spurs, so as to be as low as there is auy timber in the tree, which, in the 

 generality of cases, will not be more than a few inches below the level of the 

 surrounding ground. Then with his axe he wull lay in all the roots level 

 with the ground, and perpendicular with the bole of the tree. The next 

 thing is to see which way the tree is to fall, and put on a rope or do any 

 crippling that may be considered necessary, if it has not been done pre- 

 viously. First cut the tree half through on that side to which it 

 is intended to fall, then cut the other side as far through as is considered 

 safe before pulling the rope. This cutting should only be done on two 

 sides, first with the right hand, then with the left, or by a right and left- 

 handed man working at it at the same time. The tree down, there is a 

 considerable time taken up in dressing the butt, which will be of a wedge 

 shape. It may be nine or eighteen inches long according to the size of 

 the tree, but when squaring and measuring ihe tree the half or the whole 

 of this wedge has to be deducted ; consequently, what with cutting, 

 dressing, and squaring of the tree, about a foot in length of the best of 

 the timber is lost to the disposer. 



Second method, loith the satv ; the operator commences his work the 

 same as with the axe, viz., clears away the soil and lays in the roots as low 

 as it is considered there is any timber in the tree. (This preliminary 

 work is too often neglected, which both loses timber and leaves unsightly 

 stools.) This done, it must next be settled which way the tree is to fall, 



