FELLING TIMBER 305 



through. As the sawing proceeds metal wedges are driven 

 in behind the saw so as to preventt he saw becoming jammed, 

 and, finally, to tilt the tree over. Usually the tree must be 

 felled in the direction of its natural inclination ; but, occasion- 

 ally for special reasons, it is thrown in another direction ; in 

 such cases it must be pulled over with ropes, previously 

 attached to the top of the tree, and assisted by driving in 

 wedges. 



Wherever there are large valuable limbs or perhaps a 

 double leader on the side on which the tree is going to be 

 thrown, these should be first severed before the tree is thrown. 

 For otherwise such limbs will be splintered ; and, for the 

 sake of an extra 2s. or 33., about 153. or i's worth of timber 

 is often thrown away. 1 



These limbs are cut by a hand-saw by a man who ascends 

 the tree. This man, sometimes called the "jack," will usually 

 put on climbing irons to assist him to get up. 



When felling on steep hillsides, the trees should, if 

 possible, be thrown uphill as less damage will be done in the 

 fall ; and, during gales, felling should usually be suspended, as 

 it is decidedly dangerous. 



When small trees are being sawn through, 2 men can 

 easily work the saw ; but, with large trees, 3 me^n are neces- 

 sary and can well do the work with a good saw. However, 

 in some parts of the country a cord is attached to the saw 

 at either end and it is worked by 5 men, but though this 

 method be slightly quicker, the cost of sawing will be more 

 expensive per cubic foot. Strong, hard working men will, 

 when on piece-work, usually work with 3 men on the 

 saw. 



Three men should be able to lay in with the axe, and 

 saw through an oak tree 2 feet 6 inches to 3 feet diameter 

 in about 2 hours. 



1 When felling is by piece-work an extra is. besides the rate per foot 

 paid for felling, should be paid for each limb thus severed, as it involves 

 greater labour. The woodward or forester should previously indicate 

 each three where he requires a branch or limb to be thus separately 

 severed. 



U 



