90 LOGGING 



line between the line of sight and the tree will serve as an 

 indicator. 



In determining the direction of fall the choice is influenced by 

 the shape of the crown. Very few crowns are symmetrical, 

 one side often being heavier than the other, because of better 

 light conditions. This preponderance of weight on one side acts 

 as a powerful lever and, therefore, must be considered by the 

 faller. 



(2) The avoidance of lodging one tree in another. 



(3) The selection of a spot where the bole will not be broken 

 on stumps, rocks or other objects. This requires special atten- 

 tion in handling large or brittle timber. In yellow pine the loss 

 from this source may be i per cent of the total, while in western 

 red cedar it is often from 15 to 20 per cent, and in redwood 

 even greater. Boles of the latter are sometimes so badly 

 damaged in felling that they are worthless. A bed for redwood 

 is frequently made by levehng the ground and covering it with 

 brush. 



(4) The simplification of skidding work. In brushy regions 

 it is desirable to fell trees parallel to the skidding trail, since this 

 aids the teamster in getting out the logs. Timber cut for 

 snaking with power skidders should be felled away from or 

 toward the direction of haul, especially if long timber is being 

 handled, because it is difficult to drag out logs that are otherwise 

 placed. Timber on slopes should be felled either up or down ac- 

 cording to the location of the nearest accessible skidding trail. 

 Trees felled up steep slopes are less subject to breakage because 

 the distance of fall is less. It is, however, a more dangerous 

 method because the trees may shoot down the slope. 



ORGANIZATION OF CREWS 



The organization of crews for feUing and log-making differs in 

 the various forest regions. Sawyers in the Lake States often 

 work in crews of two under the direct charge of a saw boss, who 

 keeps a close check on the work, assigns each crew to a given 

 territory, specifies the length of logs and sees that waste does not 

 occur in cutting. The logs are prepared ready for the swamper. 



