Panthertown Trail Tenders’ Blog

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February, 2025 Trail Tender’s Blog

Posted: February 14th, 2025 by Kara McMullen, Trails and Stewardship Director

Happy Valentine’s Day, Friends!

Friends of Panthertown wishes each of you a lovely, sweet, chocolate and flower filled day! 

Now, let’s talk chainsaws. 

In wilderness areas, backcountry areas, and front country recreation areas, trees fall across trails and need either a chainsaw or a crosscut saw to clear the way for hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, and all other recreationists. On U.S. Forest Service system trails, a sawyer needs to have proper training and certification before heading out to clear the trail. This holds true to any federal, state, and county land. 

During a sawyer training participants are taught about safety, the number one focus for every sawyer when operating a saw. Attention to hazards, planning ahead, and being equipped with the correct supplies protects not just their own safety, but the safety of everyone around them as well. 

When planning to go clear trails with a chainsaw or crosscut saw, bring the right gear! Here is a list of gear that Friends of Panthertown’s staff and volunteers use to prepare for clearing trails:

  1. Wilderness first aid kit- make sure this kit includes a tourniquet
  2. Head protection- helmet
  3. Ear protection- ear plugs or ear muffs
  4. Eye protection- safety glasses or face shield
  5. Chaps
  6. Gloves
  7. Wedges and felling axe
  8. Extra fuel and oil
  9. Food and water
  10. Communication plan
  11. A buddy: don’t saw alone!

Once a sawyer reaches their site, there is a procedure to follow that sets a high standard for safety, efficiency, and accuracy. This procedure is referred to as OHLEC. Let’s dive into what this means:

O: Objective. This first step gives the sawyer an opportunity to take a good look at the project ahead. Is the goal to clear the tree from the trail? What species of tree is this? Can the wood be harvested for a trail project, and if so what size should they be cut to? What is the end goal for this project? 

H: Hazards. Now that the sawyer has gotten an eye on the project, it’s time to survey their surroundings. This is the time for everyone’s head to be on a swivel. Look for widow makers, spring poles, muddy/slippery ground, and hikers. Make a plan for how to approach each hazard. Remember- if there are too many hazards, or if the sawyer is uncomfortable, it is always okay to walk away and ask for help. 

L: Leans and Binds: During this step, the sawyer must read the tree to the best of their ability. Assess and determine where the tension and compression is in the tree, spring poles, and surrounding brush. 

E: Escape Plan: This step is very relevant for felling, but should be considered for bucking as well. Plan to cut on the uphill side of the project and clear a path or two that can be used quickly to back away from the project if need be. Ensure that there are no roots or brush in the path.

C: Cut Plan: With the information gathered from the steps above, it is now time to devise the cut plan. Determine where to start cutting, how much brush should be cleared for safety, and what kind of cuts to use. Share this plan with everyone present. 

Click to access OHLEC-Field-Guide-Card-Draft.pdf

Remember, a certification and proper training are needed to operate a chainsaw and a crosscut saw on National Forest land. Safety is the number one priority for sawyers, and also anyone- staff and volunteers- that use tools to maintain and clear trails. Get involved with our volunteer efforts and learn more about Panthertown’s trail maintenance program at www.panthertown.org/volunteer.

Volunteer With Us! Click For More Information.

Check out our past blog posts here: January, 2025: Happy 20th Birthday, Friends of Panthertown!

Summer 2024 – Project Spotlight: Environmental Enhancement Grant (EEG)
(12/19/2024) – ✨ Happy Holidays from Friends of Panthertown
(11/25/2024) – 🥧 Happy Thanksgiving from Friends of Panthertown
(10/14/2024) – 🎃 Panthertown Valley October Updates
(09/21/2024) – 🍁 Panthertown Valley Autumnal News & Events
(09/05/2024) – 🍂 September in Panthertown + National Public Lands Day
(08/02/2024) – 🎂 Happy 80th Birthday, Smokey Bear! Panthertown News & Updates
(07/03/2024) – 🇺🇸 Happy 4th of July and Summertime Fun in Panthertown
(05/08/2024) – Wildflower Hike This Saturday 5/11 with Adam Bigelow
(05/01/2024) – April Showered… Now It’s Time For May Flowers 🌼
(03/27/2024) – We Are Hiring!
(03/20/2024) – 🌱 Happy Spring in Panthertown Valley
(02/22/2024) – Panthertown Sustainability Report ⭐ Meet Our New Director
(02/08/2024) – We ❤️ Panthertown! Backcountry News & Updates
(01/04/2024) – Happy New Year, Friends!

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OLDER NEWS:

(11/20/2023) – 🍂 TODAY IS THE DAY: Panthertown Resource Assessments & Analysis
(11/03/2023) Corrected Locations For Trail Workdays
(11/01/2023) November Happenings and News from Friends of Panthertown
(10/13/2023) Crowdfunding for Data; Be a Part of Our Project!
(10/04/2023) Happy Fall, Y’All! 🍁 Panthertown Updates
(09/21/2023) HAPPY AUTUMN!! 🍂 Panthertown Festivities! You’re Invited!
(09/01/2023) Fall is approaching in Panthertown!
(08/15/2023) Get involved with Friends of Panthertown
(07/18/2023) Programs and Events for Everyone!
(07/06/2023) Exciting July with Friends of Panthertown!
(05/29/2023) Lovely June in Panthertown
(05/09/2023) May and June in Panthertown!
(03/29/2023) 👀 See what we are up to in April!
(02/27/2023) Panthertown March News 🐸 Stewardship Report + USFS Plan
(02/02/2023) THANK YOU, FRIENDS!!!

10/13/2022 – 🔥🌳 LAST CALL! Trails Training in Panthertown
09/29/2022 – Happy Fall Y’all! 🍁 Sustainable Trails Training in Panthertown
08/30/2022 – 🌳 Panthertown Volunteer Appreciation Party September 12
08/22/2022 – 🌳 You’re Invited! Panthertown Special Event SUNDAY 8/28
08/11/2022 – 🌳 Panthertown “STEW CREW” August Trail Updates
08/09/2022 – 🌳 You Are Invited! Panthertown Special Event 8/28
08/05/2022 – You Are Invited! Panthertown Special Event 8/28
05/11/2022 – Panthertown News 🐻 Bear Sanctuary Update, Forest Closure, Food Storage Requirements