POSTING NOTICE. SUPPLEMENTS to this HANDBOOK are numbered consecutively by handbook and calendar year. Post by document name at the end of each chapter. Remove existing blue pages and replace with this supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page of this document. The last Supplement to this handbook was R8 Supplement 6709.11-92-1.

Superseded

Blue Pages (Number of Sheets)

3-15 1

R8 Supp 5, 6/87

Document Name New Pages

6709.11,3 2

Digest:

3-15 - Issues direction authorizing the use of the open-face bore-cut method of tree felling as an optional procedure. Prohibits night-time falling except in situations critical to the protection of life or property.

JOHN E. ALCOCK

Regional Deputy

3.15 - Tree Felling and Bucking.

1. The open-face bore-cut method of felling is an optional chain saw procedure, especially for leaning trees, and may be used and taught after receiving appropriate training which includes instructions on:

- Kickback (what causes it, how to prevent it).

- How to create an acceptable open-face cut.

- How to use the bar-tip to bore without creating kickback.

- How to recognize when the use of the open-face bore-cut method

could be used to improve safety for the faller.

- Advantages and disadvantages of the method.

- Use of wedges with the bore-cut.

The training must include field practice and demonstrations.

2. Rules for Felling. Do not fell at night except in emergency situations critical to the protection of life or property. A partially burned through snag or green tree adjacent to an actively used fire line is a situation where night time felling may be justified. Posting guards until daylight to detour firefighters around the hazard tree is also an option to avoid unnecessary risk to fellers.

Seldom will night time fire conditions warrant the extraordinary risk of night time tree felling.