The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-01-10
CHOPPiNG DOWN A TREE.
Description of the Process az Praciiced In
the Maine Woods.

the Maine Woods.
The chopper works upon one Blended
knee. Before beginning to cut, he has
looked to see which way the tree is
inclined. For this he steps back
short distance to where he can see to
It's very top. If he is in doubt he lifts
his axe by the end of the helye and
let's it hang freely suspended. This
give him a plumb line by which he
measures the inclination of the tree.
But it is not enou II to deter inc in
what direction the tree viii fall most
readily. 1t may be that large trees are
standing right in the way OF its falling
on that side, and against these the tree
will be lodged. 1t must be carried to
the one side or the other, and herein
consists one of the mysteries of wood
craft-the skill to guide n tree in it's
fall He will direct it with the greatest
ease. 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 to have
il lie so that the logs will be convenient
of removal, the chopper first undercuts
the tree; that is, he cuts upon the side
toward which he will have it fall, and
in such q manner that the line of the
kerr shall be exactly at right angles
with the line along which the tree is to
lie. If the tree stands nearly perpen-
dicular, and has no inclination to fall
as he wishes, the chopper cuts little
! beyond the heart on that de. BY do
/ ing this he removes the base when the
tree is ready to fall, and rests upon a
/ hoC Of 1tf tWn m hraaHth
so much from the center of the stump.
| The effect of this will be very great in
moving the base so that the center of
gravity will fall on the side desired.
/ Though he works in SO cramped 1t
posture, the chopper cuts the stump SO
level and so smooth he thinks his little
boy could spin his top upon it,
Having undercut the tree with the
greatest care, the woodman now
changes his position a little, but re-
mains on the same side, rests on his
other knee and shifts hands, that Is,
Yields the axe with the other hand
/ forward. He now cuts upon the other
side, leaving the stump two or three
inches higher according as he wishes to
/ gain advantage for the last few strokes.
! The work goes on with little concern
until the base is no thicker than a
plank and quite as even, then blow is
aimed full at the center, I'd the chop
per looks quickly at the top to note the
effect. If he perceives tremor in the
trunk, or if bit of bark or moss Is
loosened from its hol |, he knows now
every stroke will tell, and he aims these
with the greatest precision. Soon as
ever the top bows to its fall he marks
the direction in which it il moving. If
he wishes to bring it more toward him
he strikes blow upon the further
edge; if to carry it further from him,
the blow is given upon the side that is
nearer. These last strokes need to be
given with great nicely. If feeble. they
will fail to effect their purpose; if OF
too great force, the tree will be severed
from the stump upon that side, and
then all control OF it is lost at once, and
it plunges blindly forward. A tall tree
Like the pine is broken from the stump
by force acting quite differently from
that which is applied in the case of
shorter trees. In it's descent the pine
acquires at it's top centrifugal force
so powerful as to lift the tree from the
stump and carry it forward five or six
feet before it reaches the ground.
When it does come to the earth the top
and the butt strike Mt the same time
and the tree lies half buried in the
snow.-BostOn Transcript.