FM4

Plant Systems Advanced Foundational Lesson

Unit: Management

Lesson Title: Maintenance

Competency: Determine basic tree maintenance procedures and demonstrate safe use of to maintain .

Standards

CS.03.04. Use appropriate protective equipment and demonstrate safe and proper use of AFNR tools and equipment. PST.02.02. Operate machinery and equipment while observing all safety precautions in AFNR settings.

PS.03.02. Develop and implement a management plan for plant production.

CCSS.ELA.11-12.RIT.3.D. Read and comprehend informational text independently and proficiently. CCSS.ELA.11-12.SL.2.A.Speak audibly and to the point, using conventions of language as appropriate to task, purpose, and audience when presenting including fluent and clear articulation, strategically varying volume, pitch, and pace to consistently engage listeners.

Student Learning Objectives

Slide 3 in FM4 Tree Maintenance Lesson Objective— After completing this lesson on Tree Maintenance, students will demonstrate their ability to apply the concept in real-world situations by obtaining a minimum score of 80% on the Safety Video evaluation.

Enabling Objectives As a result of this lesson, the student will… 1. Identify hazards associated with tree maintenance and demonstrate safe use of tools. 2. Identify and demonstrate proper pruning techniques to maintain trees.

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Time: Approximately 100 minutes

List of Resources Instructional Materials Laboratory. (2008). . Columbia, MO: University of Missouri.

Jull, L. (2012, August 13). Pruning deciduous trees. Retrieved from http://hort.uwex.edu/articles/pruning-deciduous-trees/

Trokey, C.B., & McGinnes, E.A., Jr. (1993, October). Pruning forest trees. Retrieved from http://extension.missouri.edu/p/G5160

List of Tools, Equipment, and Supplies FM4 PowerPoint Presentation FM4 Activity Sheet and Evaluation Packet FM4 Student Activity Sheet Packet FM4 Pruning Trees Lab Instructions Note cards or small sheets of paper for review activity Pruning Hand shears or pruners Peavey-cant Safety glasses Hard hat Safety vest Ear protection bar Tree

Key Terms

Slide 4 in FM4 Tree Maintenance The following terms are presented in this lesson (shown in bold italics): Pruning saw Wedge Peavey – Bucking Log roll Kickback Limbing Pruning

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Woodchoppers maul

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Interest Approach: Use an interest approach that will prepare the students for the lesson. Teachers often develop approaches for their unique class and student situations. A possible approach is included here.

Slides 5-6 in FM4 Tree Maintenance Round Up – The instructor will set out the following objects or print pictures from FM4.1. • Pruning saw • Hand shears • Axe • Chainsaw • Splitting wedge • Peavey-cant hook • Safety glasses • Hard hat • Safety vest • Ear protection • • Tree calipers • Biltmore stick

Students will work in pairs to analyze and classify the materials that have been set out. Students should look for similarities and differences among each item and create a logical explanation for categorizing them into groups. The pairs should write their groupings on a piece of paper with their rationale for how they chose to group them.

When complete, have each pair share their groups and rationale. Compare and contrast each group’s answers.

Explain that all of these tools can be grouped according to specific tasks; however, the overall commonality between them is they are part of tree maintenance.

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Summary of Content and Teaching Strategies

Objective 1: Identify hazards associated with tree maintenance and demonstrate safe use of tools.

Slide 7 in FM4 Tree Maintenance

Teaching Strategies Related Content Project the word ‘Maintenance’ onto the board. Ask students to shout out what that word means to them. Next, add the word ‘Tree’ to ‘Maintenance’. Now ask students how this changes the words they initially shouted out and/or what needs to be added to their original words to still make them applicable.

Slide 8 in FM4 Tree Maintenance

Highlight some of the words that are on track with what is covered throughout this lesson.

Build upon student discussion and ask them why tree maintenance is so important in a forest setting.

Share with students the importance of staying safe and using proper equipment when maintaining trees – whether it be during planting, pruning or harvest. Today we will be taking a closer look at each of those processes and the safety considerations and tools involved in each.

Divide class into eight groups. Assign each one of the following tools: • Tree saw • Hedge shears and hand pruners • Planting tools • Axe • Wedges • Peavey or cant hook • saw

Have each group read their assigned section

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in activity sheet FM4.2 and conduct additional research to identify a list of safety procedures and precautions for their assigned tool. Groups should record this information on a poster board formatted with the categories below: • Title of tool (placed in top center of poster board) • Description of tool (under title) • Safety procedures (listed under description) • Safety precautions (identified under safety procedures)

When finished, have students hang their posters around the room and present to the class. During presentation, instructor should show the tool and demonstrate its use. Do this for all tools except which will soon be covered in more depth.

Share with students that chainsaws are one of the most common tools used and it is critical to operate them safely.

Highlight the information the group found about chainsaw safety and the information to Chainsaw Safety the right accordingly. • Recent study found 50,000 people required hospital treatment from Slide 9 in FM4 Tree Maintenance injuries associated with chain o According to U.S. Product Safety Commission • Operators can make careless mistakes o Reaching across saw o Losing control of saw o Loss of balance due to loss of footing o Kickback o Safety awareness can reduce the incidence of injury.

Content Delivery Options: If teacher is qualified in operations, demonstrate each step to the class and have students participate where possible. Utilize lab/shop area so chainsaw can be started,

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etc.

Have a local chainsaw operator come into class and demonstrate proper operation of chain saw, having students participate where possible. Utilize lab/shop are so chainsaw can be started, etc. If using this option, make sure that all content on the right is covered— fill in any gaps the guest presenter may overlook.

Go through the slides of information, and then show some videos of safety and operation. Examples could include: • https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=Vm8YYURlcSk • https://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=-KyI1WtMMVQ • https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=Do5DfkHBhtg

Remind students that safety begins before Safety Preparation saw operation begins. 1. Owner’s Manual o Read and study owner’s manual Slides 10-16 in FM4 Tree Maintenance 2. Clothing and Protective Equipment o Clothing ▪ Well-fitted clothing ▪ Chainsaw chaps o Hard Hat ▪ Protection from falling limbs or branches o Safety Goggles ▪ Can also use eye glasses with side shields ▪ Protection from flying chips, twigs and sawdust o Ear Protection ▪ Ear muffs or ear plugs ▪ 95+ decibel noise level coming from the saw o Gloves ▪ Light-weight, non-slip gloves

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▪ Protection from abrasions and wood cuts o Safety Boots ▪ With good gripping soles to prevent falls ▪ High tops to protect ankles ▪ Steel toes to protect feet

Next, prepare the saw. Ask students what Saw Preparation and Maintenance they think is involved here. • Sharp teeth o Signs of saw teeth in need of Share with students that a saw in good sharpening condition is safer and easier to operate. ▪ Chain tends to walk Preventative maintenance will allow you to sideways while cutting cut more wood quickly and safely. ▪ Cut shows fine powder instead of chips Slides 17-19 in FM4 Tree Maintenance ▪ User must press down hard to keep cutting ▪ Smell burnt wood • Correct chain tension o Too loose ▪ Chain will derail o Too tight ▪ Chain will bind o All chains stretch with most occurring within first half hour of operation o Cold chain should be tightened to about 1/32 inch at the center bar o Warm chain adjusted to 1/8 inch gap • Proper lubrication o Will prolong chain’s useful life o Some saws have automatic oilers ▪ Make sure they are adjusted correctly ▪ May still need extra bit of oil o If chain smokes while operating, there is not enough lubrication

• Properly turned engine

Share with students that chain saws are

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typically used for three purposes: felling trees; limbing trees and bucking logs.

Divide class into 3 or 6 groups and assign each group either felling trees, limbing trees and bucking logs.

Provide appropriate content from activity Felling Trees sheet FM 4.3 to each group. In addition to Consider the characteristics of the tree and reading the content provide, instruct groups direction of fall to do additional research needed to creatively • Observe how it leans. present their process to the class. • Notice if there is an uneven top. • Observe growth or breakage. When ready, groups will present their • Determine wind direction. information. The teacher may double check their presentation and/or add in additional Clear the ground information as shown in the right-hand • Clear working space around the tree. column. • Use axe to cut away brush and saplings. Additional information may be found here: http://extension.missouri.edu/p/G1958 Develop a felling safety plan in advance • Plan your escape route to side of fall at a 45° angle.

• Plan a safe place to drop saw, allowing

you an unhampered escape.

• Clear trees and brush that might

obstruct your escape route.

Follow the felling procedure

• Hold saw firmly in both hands; take a well-balanced stance. • Make cut close to base of tree, but high enough to avoid saw in ground. • Notch undercut at least 1/3 of the diameter on the fall side of tree. (Make lower cut of notch first to avoid pinching saw.) • Do a chase cut on the opposite side of the trunk 2 inches above and parallel to horizontal notch. o To create a hinge, use the plunge-cut technique, stopping before cut goes through. o Use the lower quarter of the saw tip – called the “attack” region.

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• Guide saw into tree; do not force it. • Remove saw from tree and shut off. • Retreat along planned route.

Use wedges • Used to make tree fall in the desired direction, especially those with lean. • Use plunge-cut technique to create proper hinge before using wedge • Always use two wedges rather than one. • Use wood or plastic wedges and drive with poll of axe or mallet.

• Strike wedges squarely. (Careless

blows may pop the wedge out,

swinging the tree backwards.)

Limbing

Branch removal from felled trees

• Decide the order of limbs being cut,

making sure taking the limb will not cause tree to roll on you. • Do not use tip. • Remove limbs on top side of trunk as far as possible. • When possible, saw from the uphill side. • Lesser branches should be removed. • Saw limbs on opposite side of trunk from where you are standing as much as possible. (Trunk is barrier between operator and saw.) • Avoid reaching with saw. (Move to limbs and have good stance before cutting.) • Exercise caution when removing lower branches. o Buck tree into smaller logs o After removing upper limbs, roll the log so tension on lower limbs is removed

Bucking • Cutting trunk into desired lengths

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• Generally less hazardous than felling or limbing • Safety skills still essential

Special hazards • Log roll o Work on the uphill side of logs o Raise and chock trunk when possible • Kickback o Avoid touching ground with tip of saw o Avoid using the tip of the saw • Back strain – Do all manual lifting with back-and strain saving techniques in mind.

General procedure • When log is supported along entire length o Cut from top o Roll over and cut from opposite side until free o Use care to avoid getting saw into ground • When log is supported from one end o Cut 1/3 of diameter from one side (avoids pinching and splittering) o Cut 2/3 of diameter from top, meeting first cut

• When log is supported at both ends

o Make first cut from top 1/3

diameter

o Then cut 2/3 from underside,

meeting first cut

• Cutting firewood – laying on ground

o Make cuts on one side 3/4 of

the way through log for each

length

o Roll log over and cut through

to first cut for each length

o A three-legged sawhorse is

effective in steadying wood

and making cuts easier and

safer

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Assign students or groups of students to watch one or more of the videos listed in activity sheet FM4.4. When finished, have them answer the three questions at the bottom of the page. When all groups are done, have them provide a recap of their video to the class. Finally, have groups add any additional information they gleaned from this objective that would be helpful to remember.

Objective 2: Identify and demonstrate proper pruning techniques to maintain trees.

Slide 20 in FM4 Tree Maintenance

Teaching Strategies Related Content Ask students to guess which tools from the Common Tools For Pruning interest approach would be used for pruning. • Pruning saw o Curved blade – maneuverable, Slide 21 in FM4 Tree Maintenance light weight o Makes smooth cuts o Used for pruning hardwoods such as black walnuts • Hand shears and pruners o Used to shape Christmas trees o Must be kept sharp to facilitate clean cuts Prior to class, gather old limbs and twigs. The teacher and students can demonstrate the use of these tools on those limbs and twigs.

Give students 45 seconds to create a list of Importance of Pruning reasons why pruning can be beneficial to • Control the size of tree trees. Have students report out their ideas and • Direct growth of tree compare while sharing content on right. • Influence flowers or fruiting Slide 22 in FM4 Tree Maintenance • Maintain plant health and appearance • Increases the safety of a tree o Removes dead, diseased, broken, or dying branches

Ask students what considerations need to be Tips to Pruning Trees made before beginning to prune a tree or Age of Tree trees. Share out these ideas before sharing • Newly planted trees

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the tips for pruning trees. o Never prune unless of a dead or broken branch Slide 23 in FM4 Tree Maintenance • Young trees (2-5 years) o Prune to encourage a well- branched canopy • Older, established trees o If properly trained when young, require little pruning Time of Year • Late fall to late winter after leaf drop o Best time to prune deciduous trees

• Early spring to early summer

o Worst time of year since

disease pathogens are present

• Late summer to early fall

o Light pruning is permissible

EXCEPT in the case of oak

trees where pruning of any kind

should be avoided due to the

risk of oak wilt.

Watch video “Why and When to Prune Trees” as a class. https://youtu.be/5LiWRXrC9So

Note: video provides some tree/branch anatomy and supplemental information on why to prune.

Provide activity sheet FM 4.5 and have students record answers to questions that go along with video.

When complete, go over the answers together as a class.

Use the Pruning Lab instruction sheet to demonstrate the 3-step method for pruning.

After the lab, watch the video “How to Prune Trees” and complete activity sheet FM4.6. https://youtu.be/NNjhriEiNKQ

When complete, go over the answers together

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as a class.

Prior to class, quarter our stalks of broccoli – one quarter for each student – and get everyone a scalpel or sharp cutting device. Give each student their quarter and a cutting device and instruct them to prune their branch of broccoli according to the three-step method demonstrated in class.

Using activity sheet FM4.7 have students label each of their cuts and write out a description of each of the three cuts next to the label.

Review/Summary

Know the right tools for planting, pruning, and harvesting forest trees. Always use them with safety in mind as they are valuable to your success in the forest industry.

Slide 24 in FM4 Tree Maintenance

Review

Slide 25 in FM4 Tree Maintenance Exit cards Students will answer the following questions on a note card or small slip of paper and hand to teacher as they exit: • What did you learn about tree maintenance? • What questions do you still have about tree maintenance?

Slide 26 in FM4 Tree Maintenance 3-2-1 Summarizer Students states 3 things they learned, 2 ways the information relates to them personally, and 1 question they have about the material.

Application

Extended Activities

Bring in a chainsaw artist to speak to the class about the career and safety involved. Prior to the visit, have students create a list of five questions in which they are curious and would like answered.

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Work with a local to put together a tree maintenance training/workshop for landowners in the area. As part of the workshop, have participants go through a chain saw safety class or segment to help refresh them on the important tips to remember before they prune or harvest their own trees.

Evaluation

Project-Based Evaluation (FM4.8) Safety Video In partners, students will create a 5-8 minute safety video demonstrating the correct use of personal protective equipment when pruning, planting, and harvesting trees. Pairs will present their video to the class. The safety video should: • Cover proper operating and safety procedures for one of the forestry tools presented in this lesson • Be based off one of the processes discussed in this lesson (i.e., pruning, planting or harvesting) • Include all general safety procedures both discussed and demonstrated

Paper-Pencil Quiz Evaluation (FM4.9) Short Answer: 1. Diagram the three-step pruning process. 2. List five tree harvesting tools and their specific uses 3. What should be worn when using a chain saw? 4. What are three things to check to assure that your chain saw is in safe, efficient working order? 5. What are four ways to avoid kickback? True or False: 6. The axe no longer has a value as a forest tool. 7. Steel wedges are used to aid in felling trees. 8. When using a peavey or cant hook, it is safest to roll logs away from you. 9. Loss of footing accounts for 1/6 of the 50,000 chain saw accidents annually.

Answers to Evaluation

Project-Based Evaluation (FM4.8) Use scoring guide provided on FM4.8 to assess student work.

Paper-Pencil Quiz Evaluation (FM4.9 KEY)

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1.

2. Axe – used for clearing small limbs and brush when felling; poll end used to drive wood or plastic wedges; can be used to chop out chain saw if stuck Wedges – used to keep chain saw from being pinched and to start tree falling in proper direction Woodchopper’s maul – used for hand splitting wood Cant hook or peavey – used to pry or roll logs Log jack – supports logs above the ground for bucking 3. Well-fitting clothes; nylon mesh leg chaps; hard hat; safety goggles; earmuffs or earplugs; non-slip gloves; steel-toed ankle-high boots with good grip 4. a. Sharpness b. Chain tension c. Proper lubrication 5. Answers should include four of the following points: a. Hold saw firmly b. Use chain brake or kickback guard c. Watch for twigs which could snag chain d. Don’t pinch bar e. Saw with lower part of bar, not the tip f. Maintain high speed when entering a cut g. Keep chain sharp h. Never reach over shoulder height to cut 6. F 7. F 8. T 9. T

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