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TRAINING & EDUCATION Specialized Cutting TECHNIQUES Special situations call for special measures By Michael "House" Tain T a live "real-world" situation with people and property on the line. Education, training and practice are the keys to safe dependable use. he term specialized cutting techniques can cover a lot of ground; and depending on the experience or expertise of the operator, could include techniques that an arborist in another location may consider an "everyday" use. In short, a specialized technique is one that is considered the safest and most efficient for a particular woody situation. Part of the challenge of employing any cutting technique is knowing when — and, just as importantly, when not — to use them.The special situations that might call for a more technical cutting technique will run the gamut of the type of scenarios confronted by tree crews all over the world on a daily basis. It may be as seemingly simple as a bore or plunge cut to reduce the chance of splitting or "barber chair" when taking the top out, or as complex and gear-heavy as a key notch on a large wind-thrown tree laying on utility lines. In either case, along with the many others in which specialized techniques are applicable, the knowledge and understanding of their use and applicability is simply another valuable tool in the tree crew's mental tool box.As with all tree care techniques and methods, the first time to use one of these is not when confronted with Bore-plunge cut This technique is one in which the operator uses the "starting" or "go" corner of the tip of the chain saw bar, the lower quadrant, to begin a cut in which they can then bore or plunge through the wood.As the tip of the bar also includes the "no" corner, the upper quadrant, which can result in violent kickback, this is definitely a technique to understand well and practice with before "go time." However, once understood and practiced, the technique is extremely valuable in setting up the hinge in felling situations, removing internal pressure in forward-leaning trees or tops, and even bucking up logs on the ground. Prior to use, operators should learn the balance points of their saws and such useful features as felling sights in order to keep their cuts level and parallel in the desired manner.Well-sharpened chains are obviously integral not only to this technique, but to any safe, efficient use of a chain saw. However, operators should be aware that excessive filing of the depth gauges, often called rakers, on the chain will create a saw that is not only very prone to kickback, but will buck and shake during bore cutting. Using the "starting" corner or "go" corner to begin a plunge cut. An overhead view of the bar "boring" or "plunging" into the tree to set up the hinge. 18 Arbor Age / January/February 2013 www.arborage.com