FELLING THE TREES 



13 



'-:'?f^' 



Ready lo fell the Douglas fir, holdings of C.A.Smith Timber Co., 

 on Coos Bay, Oregon. 



Making the under-cut in a Douglas fir, holdings of C. A. Smith 

 Timber Co., on Coos Bay, Oregon. 



Advantages of this method are: -The trees are easily directed; the loss of timber is small. 



Disadvantages are: — Several tools and several men are required. In very thick woods and on very 

 rocky, steep slopes, the use of the saw is not advisable or possible. Careless wedging may cause the 

 bole to split at the butt. The saw and the wedge are said to be responsible for many heart shakes. 



(B) OBTAINING BOLE WITH STUMP AND ROOTS :- 



It is essential to thoroughly sever the main roots with axe, inattock, and pick. The tree is then 

 forced over by a tree-felling machine, or with a rope fastened to a high limb. 



Advantages are: -Longer bole; gain of lumber 8"„ to 10",,. Possibility of obtaining knees for ship 

 building (tamarack, redfir, cedar, and white oak). The tree falls gently, its fall being checked by the roots, 

 so that the bole shows less splits, cracks, and wind shakes. The bole is less apt to break and can be 

 allowed to dry out gradually. Further, root-breeding insects do not find any incubators, and agricultural 

 use is facilitated. 



Disadvantages are :- Greater expense; more tools; axes ruined in cutting roots; extra saw cut required 

 to sever the butt log from the roots; above 

 all, delay in finishing the logging job. 



(C) CRITERIA OF A GOOD METHOD: 

 L Safety for the workmen; 



2. Certainty of felling in a desired 

 direction ; 



3. Difference between log value obtained 

 and expense spent in obtaining it; 



4. Avoidance of injury to trees not to 

 be removed. 



(D) POLLARDING BEFORE FELLING: 



Branches or tree tops are frequently lopped 

 off before felling, for the following reasons :- 

 1. The younger generation of trees sur- 

 rounding the tree to be cut receives 

 less injury ; Felling 



il ^luniii li_\ the Buctuier felling machine. 



