What is the consensus on when using a chainsaw on the trail is OK?

I know its not OK to use it to:
cut illegal trails
cut trees to prevent body damage
make bypasses...

How do the rules differ for private, gov, public lands?

After something is cut what is the approprate thing to do with the tree?

 

I've used an ax. I just tossed it off the trail. You may want to post this on NWW.

 

I figured i would post here to get more views. I also posted on NWW cause of all the tree we have go down here every year.

 

If I were you I'd call the local DNR office. I know here in SC you aren't allowed to cut any live trees at all. In some spots of Game Management land there are a few log harvesting areas in which it's okay to harvest logs but it must be already cut. As far as making firewood and stuff like that you are allowed only to use dead vegetation.

 

We were out on the olympic pennisula last spring and dead falls were a no-no. Honestly my jaw dropped. We were only allowed to buy firewood. This was @ Crescent lake.

 

I guess i should clarify. I am not looking to harvest a tree or get firewood. I'm thinking more about trees blocking trails e.g. blow down.

 

I carry a Husky all through hunting season. I use it all the time. This year two huge trees were blocking the road to a trail head I had prepared for months to go in and hunt. Had I not had my saw I would have been forced to turn around. I feel naked in the cold without my saw.

 

Pretty good responses on NWW

 

I have cut up trees that have fallen on the trail. We try to haul out as much of it as we can from the trail when we cut one. My thought is it is better to cut the fallen tree than to make a new trail around it.

 

I guess it would all depend on the land owner. if its public you might want to get the city's permission, if it's private, I hope you know the land owner and ask him. You can on private land with owners permission cut any tree down you want. As far as commercial ie. off-road park, I would get management's permission.

 

I understand what your talking about, don't think its a problem for the most part but some things here suprise me. I'm going to go check out the response on NNW.

 

Well now that changes the equation... I'm not too sure about that even in my area but I'll admit I've seen others do it before. It's not like they were creating a new trail or anything, just moving them to the side and going on in the trail. I might give a call to the SCDNR office to check myself. If I were you I'd also check with the local wildlife resource office. If it were private land then I'd most definitely get the owner's permission.

 

When we have worked with the Forest Service on our club's Adopt-a-Trail, it has been OK for us to cut and move trees fallen across the trail. Only thing that seems to be a no-no is cutting down a standing tree, alive or dead. For this, the FS ranger has to do that:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CA-4/Ado...ilOpening2005/

 

The trails I wheel on are right-of-ways between large tracks of timber. These are used by the public to wheel with ATV, horse, and 4wheeldrive. The hunters and land owners want the trail kept clear and tolerate us because we cut back downed trees.

I cut the trees back after storms move thru the area. If it is a good straight tree that falls over with wind I only cut it so full logs are left. I'll cut it then pull it to the side with a pulley and winch.

I think part of your "responsibility" is to stop and repair the trail instead of 90% of the wheeling community.