Simple and effective limbing requires good technique. Different limbing methods can often be combined. As a beginner, it is important to work calmly and methodically. Then you can gradually increase the pace. The following are some basic rules regardless of which limbing method you use:
Try to work at a height at which you do not have to stoop down. You can attain the right working height by using other felled trees, logs, stones or rises in the terrain. The best working height for limbing is from waist to knee height. Bend your knees, not your back!
Stand steady with your feet apart and work with the saw close to your body. It is important that your stance is stable in two directions. It is always dangerous to move your feet while limbing. That is why it is important to have ample reach without needing to move your feet.
Carry the saw as little as possible while limbing and changing positions. Try to always rest the saw against the trunk or your hip/thigh.
You should only move your position when you have the tree trunk as a barrier between you and the guide bar or when the safety brake is engaged.
To ensure stable footing, stand with your feet wide apart with the saw resting against the trunk. Note that your feet should maintain the same position throughout limbing.
The best working height is when you have the trunk at hip height. Stand on the left side of the trunk and work from the root end and upward. Maintain a stable posture with your feet apart and keep the saw close to your body. Work with both pulling and pushing chain and always try to rest the saw against the trunk or your hip. You should only move your position when you have the tree trunk between you and the guide bar.You can cut the branches on the top side of the trunk with the saw lying on its side. Limbing of the branches on the underside of the trunk can be done at the same time if you have a good working height. Observe the tension in the branches so that you saw them from the correct side, otherwise there is a risk of the saw pinching.If the tree is lying directly on the ground, cut the branches on the underside after you have finished cutting the others and you can then turn the trunk to get at them. Be careful when the trunk is lying close to the ground, as there is a high risk of the nose of the guide bar coming into contact with something and causing kickback.
Limbing the downward face at a suitable working height:If you have a good working height and can reach the branches under the trunk, you can limb the downward face while you do normal limbing using the lever method. Limbing the downward face when the trunk is lying on the ground:If the trunk is lying on the ground, you must first limb the entire upturned trunk before you begin limbing the downward face. When the entire trunk has been limbed on the topside, as per the limbing sequence, turn the trunk using a lifting hook or cant hook.
A different limbing technique is used for thick branches than for thin branches. This applies to hardwood trees and other trees with thick, extensive branches. The limbing method for thick branches is often the same as for crosscutting. The basic rule is to work from the outside in toward the trunk.