Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

igoCAMPING AND WOODCRAFTBefore starting to fell a tree, clear away all underbrushand vines that are within reach of theextended axe, overhead as well as around you.Neglect of this precaution may cripple a man forlife.Felling a Tree.—Before starting to chop downa tree, decide in which direction you wish it to fall.This will be governed partly by the lay of theground and the obstacles on it. The tree shouldfall where it will be easy to log up. Most treeslean more or less out of plumb, or have a heaviergrowth of branches on one side than on the other.If there is nothing to interfere, drop it on the side;^l\36.—FellingTreeFig.37.—BoggledNotchFig 38.—TrueNotchtoward which it is naturally inclined to fall. In athick forest, throw it in such direction that it willnot lodge on some other tree in falling. It is bothdifficult and dangerous for anyone but an expert tobring down a lodged tree. Don't try to throw atree against the wind, if there is a strong breezeblowing.Now, suppose you decide to throw the tree to thesouth. First cut a notch (kerf) on the south sideof the tree, half way through the trunk (A in Fig.36). A novice would make this notch by startingwith a small nick and laboriously enlarging it by