Thinking Of Cutting Down A Small Tree? Think Safety First. Always.

Skip to Navigation Skip to UConn Search Skip to Content UConn Cookie Information What are Cookies? Authentication Cookies Analytics Cookies Opt Out

Web cookies (also called HTTP cookies, browser cookies, or simply cookies) are small pieces of data that websites store on your device (computer, phone, etc.) through your web browser. They are used to remember information about you and your interactions with the site.

Purpose of Cookies:

1. Session Management:

   • Keeping you logged in

   • Remembering items in a shopping cart

   • Saving language or theme preferences

2. Personalization:

   • Tailoring content or ads based on your previous activity

3. Tracking & Analytics:

   • Monitoring browsing behavior for analytics or marketing purposes

Types of Cookies:

1. Session Cookies:

   • Temporary; deleted when you close your browser

   • Used for things like keeping you logged in during a single session

2. Persistent Cookies:

   • Stored on your device until they expire or are manually deleted

   • Used for remembering login credentials, settings, etc.

3. First-Party Cookies:

   • Set by the website you're visiting directly

4. Third-Party Cookies:

   • Set by other domains (usually advertisers) embedded in the website

   • Commonly used for tracking across multiple sites

Authentication cookies are a special type of web cookie used to identify and verify a user after they log in to a website or web application.

What They Do:

Once you log in to a site, the server creates an authentication cookie and sends it to your browser. This cookie:

• Proves to the website that you're logged in

• Prevents you from having to log in again on every page you visit

• Can persist across sessions if you select "Remember me"

What's Inside an Authentication Cookie?

Typically, it contains:

• A unique session ID (not your actual password)

• Optional metadata (e.g., expiration time, security flags)

Analytics cookies are cookies used to collect data about how visitors interact with a website. Their primary purpose is to help website owners understand and improve user experience by analyzing things like:

• How users navigate the site

• Which pages are most/least visited

• How long users stay on each page

• What device, browser, or location the user is from

What They Track:

Some examples of data analytics cookies may collect:

• Page views and time spent on pages

• Click paths (how users move from page to page)

• Bounce rate (users who leave without interacting)

• User demographics (location, language, device)

• Referring websites (how users arrived at the site)

Here’s how you can disable cookies in common browsers:

1. Google Chrome

• Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top-right corner.

• Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data.

• Choose your preferred option:

  • Block all cookies (not recommended, can break most websites).

  • Block third-party cookies (can block ads and tracking cookies).

2. Mozilla Firefox

• Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner.

• Go to Settings > Privacy & Security.

• Under the Enhanced Tracking Protection section, choose Strict to block most cookies or Custom to manually choose which cookies to block.

3. Safari

• Open Safari and click Safari in the top-left corner of the screen.

• Go to Preferences > Privacy.

• Check Block all cookies to stop all cookies, or select options to block third-party cookies.

4. Microsoft Edge

• Open Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner.

• Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Cookies and site permissions.

• Select your cookie settings from there, including blocking all cookies or blocking third-party cookies.

5. On Mobile (iOS/Android)

• For Safari on iOS: Go to Settings > Safari > Privacy & Security > Block All Cookies.

• For Chrome on Android: Open the app, tap the three dots, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies.

Be Aware:

Disabling cookies can make your online experience more difficult. Some websites may not load properly, or you may be logged out frequently. Also, certain features may not work as expected.

Close UConn University of Connecticut Search University of Connecticut Search UConn A to Z Index UConn A to Z Index

The Rule of Fives*

Operating a chainsaw can be dangerous work. This page was designed as a quick study guide for  the casual user and does not substitute for the owner's manual or a chainsaw safety class. The Rule of Fives, developed by foresters and professional loggers, reminds the user that there are five stages to safely cutting down a small tree (less than 12" diameter at breast height): 1) personal protection, 2) saw safety check, 3) know your surroundings, 4) the felling plan and 5) the stump plan.

 

1. Personal Protection

Most importantly, how are you  feeling today? Don't operate a chainsaw while fatigued. Get a good night's rest and eat a healthy breakfast to help you stay alert. 

The goal is to get back home in one piece. 

Dress for safety:

1. Leather boots with ankle protection
2. UL approved chain saw chaps or leg protection
3. Head protection (hard hat)
4. Hearing protection
5. Eye/face protection

 

 

 

2. Saw Safety Check

The following must be present and working properly:

1. Chain brake
2. Chain catch
3. Throttle lock
4. Spark muffler
5. How does the saw look overall? Is it well-maintained?

 

 

3. Know Your Surroundings

1. Be aware  of overhead hazards
2. Remove tripping hazards
3. Clear work space: remove any brush, interfering branches, and potential spring-poles
4. Escape route: minimum 15 feet from the stump at 45 degrees from the direction of the fall.

 

 4. The Felling Plan

1. Is the tree sound without excessive lean? If in doubt, call a professional. 
2. Determine the target or direction of fall
3. Determine the side lean in relation to the target
4. Determine the back lean in relation to the target
5. Identify the 'bad side' based on overhead hazards or lean. This is the side you will avoid during the felling cut.

 

5. The Stump Plan

1. Line up the direction of the face cut with the target, compensating for side lean, if necessary. The face cut determines the direction of the fall.
2. Calculate the hinge dimensions: hinge length = 80% of diameter at breast height or dbh (4.5' from base); hinge thickness = 10% dbh. For example, the hinge dimensions on a 10" dbh maple will be 8" for the length and 1" for the width.
3. Begin the back cut slightly above the bottom face cut line. Wedge the back cut, as needed, to counter the lean.
4. Do not cut through the hinge.
5. Always look up for hazards and around for your teammates before the final release!
6. A tree dbh twice the length of a chainsaw bar would be best felled by a technique called the plunge cut. This is an advanced technique and should not be attempted without the proper training first. This section only covers a conventional cut.

 

*created by Thomas Worthley (UCONN), J.P. Barsky (CAES) and Bill Girard (Game of Logging)