Before starting to fell your tree, first clear away all small branches and bushes which might interfere with the swing of your axe, and therefore spoil your aim.
Also clear away any brambles or undergrowth that might trip you at the critical moment.
Cut out chunks when you are at it, not a lot of little chips, which are signs to anyone coming there later that a tenderfoot has been at work. It is all a matter of aiming your stroke well.
Aim your kerf so that the tree will fall clear of other trees, and not get hung up in their branches.
[Illustration: THE TREE READY TO FALL]
Then, when your tree falls, look out for the butt. This often jumps back from the stump; never stand directly behind it; many a tenderfoot has been killed that way. When the stem cracks and the tree begins to topple over, move forward in the direction of the fall, and, at the same time outwards, away from the butt.
* * * * *
FIRE-LIGHTING.
As a backwoodsman you must, of course, be able to cook your own food—you can't lug your mother about with you to do it!
But you cannot cook food straight off without ever having learnt how; and so I advise every Scout to set to work and learn this during the winter months, before the camping season comes on.