Four types of binds that can occur when falling or bucking a tree

Binding or pinching can also occur when using a dull saw chain, a chainsaw too small for the size diameter of tree you want to fall, or a chainsaw that has too slow a speed.

Gravity can cause any cut portion of a tree to fall. This is import to keep in mind at all time because if the guard bar and saw chain happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, they will become pinched (bind) between the falling portion of the tree and the stationary portion of the tree. When a tree binds your chainsaw, you are at risk of severe or fatal injury. Binding or pinching can also occur when using a dull saw chain, a chainsaw too small for the size diameter of tree you want to fall, or a chainsaw that has too slow a speed.

 

Generally, there are four types of binds that can occur when falling or bucking a tree:

The first one is called a top bind. This occurs when the top of a limb or log that is being cut tries to pinch the guard bar and saw chain. When this happens, make your first horizontal cut in the top of the log. Carefully observe the saw kerf (the space created from the cutting of a saw chain) and stop cutting the moment you see or feel the saw kerf closing. This will generally occurs less then ¼ of the diameter of the tree. Next, remove the bar and then make the finishing cut from the bottom of the log up to the cut you made from the top. As soon as there is room, insert a wedge to keep the bar from becoming pinched.

The next type of bind is the side bind and this happens when the limb or log tries to bind the bar and saw chain on the side. When this happens, the bucking cuts should be vertical starting with the side where the wood fibers are compressed. Make sure that the tree is between you and the cut, then while watching, make your first cut until the saw kerf starts closing—stop cutting and physically move around to the other side of the tree to make the release cut. (This should be on the side where the tree fibers are stretched.) Make sure you use your wedges.

When a limb or log that is being cut tries to pinch the bottom of the bar and saw chain this is know as a bottom bind. You want to make your first cut on the bottom of the log, while carefully watching the kerf. As soon as the kerf starts closing, remove the bar then start making your finishing cut from the top of the log and cut down to the cut you made on the bottom. As soon as you can insert a wedge, do so to prevent the bar/saw chain from becoming pinched.

Possible the most dangerous type of bind is the end bind. This is when a tree has fallen so that it is on an incline. No matter what, gravity will attempt to push the top portion of the log down onto the bottom portion, pinching the bar and saw chain. When freeing your bar you have to use extreme care. With a tree on an incline, the cut log and tree can roll on top of you or pull you under it when the log is released. You will have to us your wedges because the bar and saw chain will become pinched when the cut or cuts are completed.





 

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