Page 16 - Moving the Earth_ The Workbook of Excavation

LAND CLEARING AND CONTROLS

1.16 THE WORK

FIGURE 1.8A Double wedging. FIGURE 1.8B Making a wood wedge.

DANGERS

Tree cutting is dangerous work, because of the nature of the tools used and the sometimes unpre-
dictable behavior of trees and their parts.

Direction. In spite of best judgment and efforts, a tree may fall in an unexpected direction, even
backward across wedges. And a fall may occur much sooner than expected, because of concealed
weakness in the base, or a puff of wind.
No one should be in a cutting area except the worker(s) at the foot of the tree. They must be
alert to move quickly. The critical area should be clear of brush and litter, as tripping over it might
have fatal consequences.
A chain saw that is not being used, or any other valuable equipment, should be placed behind
a tree or other protection during tree felling.
Overhead Breaks. Some trees come apart while being cut (Fig. 1.9B). Blows of a hammer on a
wedge, rough contact of a pusher bucket, or even the vibration of a saw may loosen dead limbs so
that they come crashing down around the base. If the trunk is decayed, it may break as it starts
down, with the lower part leaning and falling conventionally, but leaving the upper parts in the air
to come straight down.
This will not happen when a tree is live and healthy throughout, but dead branches and decay
are not necessarily visible from the ground. It is more common in tall trees than in short ones, and
the pieces fall harder.