Before starting to fell your tree, first clear away all small branches
and bushes which might interfere with the swing of your axe, and
therefore spoil your aim.
Also clear away any brambles or undergrowth that might trip you at the
critical moment.
Cut out chunks when you are at it, not a lot of little chips, which
are signs to anyone coming there later that a tenderfoot has been at
work. It is all a matter of aiming your stroke well.
Aim your kerf so that the tree will fall clear of other trees, and not
get hung up in their branches.
[Illustration: THE TREE READY TO FALL]
Then, when your tree falls, look out for the butt. This often jumps
back from the stump; never stand directly behind it; many a tenderfoot
has been killed that way. When the stem cracks and the tree begins to
topple over, move forward in the direction of the fall, and, at the
same time outwards, away from the butt.
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