214 



FELLING AND CONVERSION OF TIMBER. 



as deeply"as possible, and often the earth is dug away all round 

 the stump of the tree. It is then often insufficient in the case 

 of large trees to cut only two notches, but cuts are also required 

 at the other sides, though they should never be as deep as the 

 principal notches in the direction of the fall. Small trees 

 may be felled by one man, trees from 10 to 12 inches in 

 diameter by two men working together, very large trees by 

 four men. 



ii. Felling tvith ihe Saw alone. 



In the case of small trees, the saw-cut is commenced on the 

 side opposite to that of the proposed fall, and continued until 

 the tree can be pushed- over ; in the case of large trees, owing 

 to friction the sawing cannot, without some help, be continued 

 beyond the axis of the tree ; as soon as possible, therefore, 

 two wedges are driven-in behind the saw, and as the sawing 

 proceeds they are driven further and further until the tree 

 falls. 



iii. Felling l>y means of Axe and Saw. 



The sawing (Fig. 143) is commenced at the side (b) on which 

 the tree is to fall, and continued to about a J or -th of its 



diameter, and a notch in direction (a) 

 is made with the axe to meet this 

 saw -cut. 



The saw is then taken to the 

 opposite side of the tree, and as soon 

 as the cut (c) is deep enough wedges 

 are inserted behind the saw, and from 

 time to time driven further until the 

 tree falls. 



iv. Fell/ ay willt the Hillhook. 



This is restricted to small poles, 

 saplings and coppice-shoots, forming 

 a dense growth in which there is no 



143. Felling with axe room to use the axe. Saplings are 

 a , with suvv c. felled with Q1]e bbw of the billhookj 



but if a stem is too thick for this, it should be felled with two 

 blows on opposite sides, without making a regular notch. 



