The Clearing Saw

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The clearing saw looks like a weed cutter on steroids; actually, historically it came first, and the string-type weed cutter is an anemic descendant. Powered by a small- to medium-sized chain saw engine, the saw on the end, rotating at about 10,000 rpm, cuts very quickly--almost instantly on saplings up to two inches or so. By cutting from both sides, it can drop trees over 5 inches in diameter. By utilizing the direction the blade is turning, and cutting somewhat "uphill" or "downhill" you can control the direction of fall. This is an efficient tool for clearing brush and/or thinning forest stands. The "EIA-type" blades cut very quickly and are easily sharpened with a chain saw file. It is dangerous for anyone but the operator to be close when it is being used; but the operator, using a quick-release harness to carry the saw, is pretty well kept away from the blade.