Tim Ard, GOL instructor .
T imber harvesting and competitive sports have many similarities.
Both require skilled professionals, teamwork, communication, and a good game plan. Perhaps the most important is the plan for without it, there would be no consistancy in the way timber harvesting is accomplished. Identify Potential Hazards - Look up into the crown of the tree and identify dead limbs and hanging branches that could possibly fall on you as the tree begins to fall. Also assess the area into which the tree will fall for hazards. Clearing ground debris and live saplings or shrubs within the immediate vicinity of the designated tree is very important.