METHODS OF FELLING. 



U7 



(a) Utilization of the Stem. 



i. Felling icitli the Axe. 



The stem to be felled should be cut with the felling-axe in 

 two places on opposite sides of its base (fig. 119), and as near 

 the ground as possible. The wedge-shaped notches thus cut in 

 the tree become larger and approach nearer the axis of the tree 

 until the latter falls. These notches should be kept as small as 

 is consistent with the easy admission ^^__ ^^^ 



of the axe, and should have smooth 

 sides. As a rule, the height of the 

 opening measured on the bai-k of the 

 tree should not exceed its depth. 



In order to throw the stem in any 

 desired direction, the two notches 

 should lie opposite to one another in 

 that direction, and the former one {a), 

 (fig. 119) on the side where the tree 

 is to fall, should penetrate beyond the 

 axis of the tree as deeply and horizon- 

 tally as possible. The other notch (//) 

 should be begun from four to six inches 

 higher than (rf), according to the thick- 

 ness of the stem, and cut so that its point extends above that of {a), 

 or would do so if produced horizontally. If the stem is sym- 

 metrical it should be lightly pushed in the direction in which 

 it is to fall. If its weight should slightly preponderate in that 

 direction, that will naturally expedite the work ; if, however, the 

 weight preponderates on the other side, or towards either direc- 

 tion at right angles to that of the intended fall, a billet of easily- 

 split firewood may be put in the notch (/>), and several wedges 

 then driven into it transversely, or between it and the edge of 

 the notch, so as to press the stem over to the side on which it 

 should fall. 



In the case of valuable timber-trees, it is often advisable to 

 cut them below the surface of the ground so as to save a portion 

 of the stump as timber. In that case the notches are cut down 

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



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