The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-12-19
CHOpPING DOWN A TREE.
o'rcrip'ion oi the Process nv Prnciic.d In
Tho ,Ininc " GODS.


Irlohl lHt IohtOh Transcript
Tho chopper works upon one Bonded
Knee. Before beginning 10 cut, he has
looked to zee which way tho tree is in.
clincd. For this he stops back short
distance to where he can sec its very ton
If he is in doubt he lifts his ax 6y the
end OF tho holve and let's it hang freely
suspended. This gives him n plumb
Inc by which he measures the inclinn.
lion OF the tree. But it Is not enough
to determine in WIN. direction the tree
will fall most readily. IL may be that
largo trees are standing right III the way
oi its falling ON that side, and against
these the tree will DO lodged. 1t mus,
bo carried to the one side or the othor.
md herein consists one of the mysteries
oi woodcrait-tho skill to guide a tree in
its full Ho will direct it with the
greatest case. Having decided where
he wants it to go to avoid the risk of
lodging against other trees, or of being
broken by falling on uneven ground. or
10 have it lie no that tho logs will bo
convenient of removal, tho chopper first
nndercnts the tree; that is, he cuts
upon the side toward which ho will have
u fall, and In such u manner that tho
line OF the kerr shall be exactly at right
angles with the line along which the
FREQ IL to lie. If the tree stands nenrly
perpendicular, and has no inclination 10
fall rs he wishes, tho chopper cuts n little
beyond the heart on that side. BY do
ing this no removes the base when tho
tree IN ready TO fall, and rests mon
base OF but an inch or two in breadth. so
much from the center Of tho stump
Tho effect OF this will be very great In
moving the base no that the center OF
gravity will fall on the side desired.
Though no works in 30 crnmped DOS.
ture, the chopper cuts the stump 30 level
aud 30 smooth no thinks his little bow
could spin his top upon it.
Having undorcut tho tree with the
greatest care, the woodman now changes
his position little, but remains on the
same side, rests on his other knee, and
shifts hands, that is, Yields the AK with
the other hand forward. He now cuts
upon the other side, leaving the stump
two or three inches higher according AZ
no wishes TO gain advantage for the last
lew strokes. The work goes on with
ittle concern until the base is no |
Kicker than n plank and quite as oven.
hen blow is aimed full at the center
nd the chopper looks quickly at the ton
note the effect. If he perceiyes n
femor in tho trunk, or il bit of bark
moss is loosened from its hold, he
nows now every stroke will tell. and he
inns these with the greatest precision
loon as ever the top bows to its foll bo
marks the direction TO which n ia NOV
hg. IL he wishes TO bring il more 10.
yard him he strikes blow upon Tho
nrther edge; II to carry it further from
nm the blow is given upon the s;da
maj Is nearer. These last strokes neeS
70 DO given with great nicely. II leo
pie, they will fail to effect their nnrro oee,
! OF 100 great force, the tree will ba Gov
,red from the stump upon that aide ana
hen all control of II is lost nj omce ' ana
t, plnnges blindly forward. A tall tres
ke the pine is broken from the stnmn
J force acting quite differently from
lat which is applied in the case a.
lorter trees. In its descent the p;no
quires at it's top a centrifugal force On
werful as to lift the tree from the
imp and carry it forward five or sir
7 before it reaches the ground. When
Ices come to the earth The TOP and tbe /
y strike at the same time and The ( O
, lies hall buried In tho snow, Wv q