How to Cut Down A Tree Correctly

How to Cut Down A Tree Correctly

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Let’s be honest there are a lot of things to consider when felling a tree and many things can go wrong if we are not careful, which is why we’ve put together this tree feeling guide – just for you.

Depending on the size and condition of the tree you wish to cutting down, felling a tree can be an enormous job to handle so it’s important to feel comfortable and err on the side of caution and make sure you always have the correct protective gear and tools for the task.

Note: Before you attempt to cut down any tree makes sure you check with your local bylaws, in many towns and cities around the world a permit is required to fell a tree. Please check if authorization is required as a fine may be issued if you do not have the correct paper work.

Table of contents

Now with all of that out of the way lets get started on what we need to know to cut down a tree safely.

How to Cut Down A Tree Safely

We have all seen the TV blooper shows where someone attempting to cut down a tree only to have it fall direction onto a car or crashing through a house? While this may seem funny when it happens to someone else it’s certainly something that you don’t want to happen to you, but surprisingly it’s an all-too common occurrence among those who are inexperienced or improperly trained on how to cut down a tree safely and correctly.

Tree cutting, also commonly referred to as felling a tree, can be a hazardous task. You would possibly think this is common information but based totally on the statistics there are nonetheless hundreds of chainsaw-related accidents seen in emergency rooms each year from people attempting to fell trees.

When it comes to felling a tree there is a right way and (many) wrong ways. There’s a great deal more to felling a tree successfully than just taking a chainsaw to it and hoping for the best. If you choose to cut down your tree then make sure it’s carried out right ensuring minimal hazard and harm to property and injury to yourself and others. The information in this guide will help prepare you on what measures need to be taken to safely cut down a tree correct.

Tools For Felling A Tree

Before you start to fell a tree you need to prepare and make sure you have the right equipment to complete the job safely. Depending on the type of tree being cut down or the location where your tree is situated, your required equipment at a minimum should consist of protective gear for safety and tree cutting tools, for large jobs additional equipment may be required. A general checklist of what you will need to carry out the job would be as follows:

Protective Gear Needed To Fell a Tree

  • A hard hat or helmet
  • Eye Protection – full-face screens, goggles, and safety glasses.
  • Hearing protection – Earplugs or earmuffs
  • Heavy-duty work gloves
  • Foot Protection – Comfortable steel-toed boot
  • Kevlar chaps or trousers made of ballistic nylon fibers.

Safety equipment and clothing are designed to protect you from flying tree material and debris as well as from the common dangers of chainsaw use. Hazards include hearing loss from too much saw noise, eye injury from flying objects such as sawdust and debris, head injuries from falling limbs or tree debris. The TR Industrial TR88011 Hard Hat Forestry Safety Helmet & Ear Muffs is a safe bet to go with for the value as it combines a helmet, safety visor and hearing protection all in one.

Kevlar chaps or chainsaw pants, made with a special type of material, are protective leg coverings to reduce injury from chainsaw impact should it happen to slip. You can find leg protective wear at hardware and retailers stores. A popular choice is the Forester Chainsaw Apron Chaps with Pocket and Adjustable Belt they come in many colors, we recommend a bright color for safety and visibility.

If you have no safety gear and would like to just buy a kit that covers all of your safety needs then a good choice would be the Husqvarna 531307180 Chain Saw Protective Apparel Powerkit, this is a professional kit which includes a hi-viz helmet in orange, ProForest wrap chap, blue clip suspenders , chain saw protective gloves (large) and a lexa clear protective glasses with lanyard.

Tree Cutting Tools

The best way to cut a tree down starts with a good quality saw that has a sharp chain. When choosing your saw make sure the bar will cut completely through the tree, if this is not the case we recommend contacting a professional as cutting down a tree that is larger than the bar requires skill. If you are looking to buy a chainsaw the Husqvarna is a very popular brand for high quality chainsaws with long-lasting durability from light duty to heavy-duty performance.

You may need to prepare an area on the trunk which is clean of branches where you can make your cuts, an axe or a bow saw can serve multiple purposes from removing small branches to creating a notch, marking the tree for the back cut. Your axe can also be used to drive the felling wedges. Depending on the size of the tree and how fit you feel either an axe or the saw may be the better option for felling the tree, especially if it is a small tree.

The most critical time in the felling process is when you’re making the back cut, at this time the tree is most unstable and it may tend to rock back just before it proceeds to fall. The use of tree wedges if used correctly will help protect your chainsaw from binding during the cut as well as reinforcing the tree allowing you to get it to fall in the right direction.

Sometimes your tree maybe leaning in a direction that is not ideal for felling, at these times you will need to secure the tree using a strong, sturdy cable to help pull it towards the direction you need it to fall. Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. Always use the upmost caution and just in case you have a medical emergency have a first aid kit handy.

Be Prepared for the Kickback

One of the major causes of chainsaw injuries is caused by Kickback, Kickback is the term used to describe the unexpected upward motion of the guide bar, causing the rotating chain to come into contact with a body part. Kickback occurs when the tip or the nose of the bar (the kickback zone) strikes an object or when the wood closes in, pinching the saw chain in the middle of the cut. Both of these situations cause the saw to move violently in an upward direction. Knowing what causes a chainsaw to kickback allows you to take extra care when working with your saw, whenever possible it is best to try to avoid cutting with the blade tip. You can equip your saw with a “reduce-kickback” style chain to avoid having to test your reflexes.

chainsaw kick back danger zone
(Illustration, source: Husqvarna).

Getting Started | How to Fell A Tree

Before you start cutting down a tree with a chainsaw the first thing you should ask is, do you feel comfortable? If the answer is no then contact a professional, there is no disgrace and it may save you from a nasty accident. If you are happy to proceed then the best way to go about this is to analyze the tree.

Examining the tree

When it comes to felling a tree gravity can be your best or worst friend, examine the tree to see if it leans more in one direction, ideally, you want to cut down a tree in the direction it favors. You next consideration is the wind, the wind direction and speed plays an important role in the direction the tree will potentially fall. It is never a good idea trying to fell a tree against the wind so treat the wind as your friend. Hopefully between the lean on the tree and the wind direction they align with a safe area where you want to drop the tree if not you will need to take extra precautions in setting up you tree for felling.

Notice if there are any branches that may be dead or broken. You will want to avoid standing beneath any limbs that could come loose while cutting the tree.

Clear the drop zone

When selecting the site where you want your tree to end up you will need to estimate the trees size and how much clear space it will need. Keeping your site away from permanent structures like houses, sheds and fences you want nothing in its path that can become damaged, if you have any non permanent structures in the area such as your vehicle, it is a good idea to make sure they are out of the drop zone, this also includes if they are behind where you want the tree to fall, if something goes wrong and the tree doesn’t fall where you want it to then having everything movable out of the drop zone will minimize damage. You should make sure to clear away any small brush or obstacles from where the tree will fall, and planning an escape route is also critical to get as far away from the tree as possible if it shifts direction and doesn’t fall as planned, your escape route should be in the opposite direction you plan for the tree to fall and at a 45 degree angle so you can clear the area quickly.

Prepare the tree

If you are lucky and your tree has grown straight and is not leaning you have the option of felling the tree in any direction you choose as long as the wind is blowing in a favorable direction. If for whatever reason you must cut the tree to fall in the opposite direction that it is leaning or against a strong wind you will need to take extra precaution and some additional steps:

  • Place a long rope or chains as high up the tree as you can, this will help you to pull the tree in the direction you want it to fall as you drive the wedge into the tree.
  • To prevent the tree from splitting you should secure a strap around the base of the tree above where you intend to make the cut.

Make a notch

Position yourself with the tree on your left and your left shoulder against the trunk, on the side facing the direction you want the tree to fall make a 70-degree cut. This will create a hinge for when the tree falls. If your chainsaw has a felling sight on the housing, use it as a guide. Pointing the site where you want the tree to fall will help you cut at the proper location on the tree. If you are not going to use the tree for timber you should start your cut at hip height, it is much easier to control your saw in an upright position and you can always come back and make a lower cut to remove the stump when the tree is safely down.

Make your cut to a depth of about 30% of the tree’s diameter, ideally when you finish distance along the bottom of the cut it should be 80% of the tree diameter. Make your second cut at the bottom of your first cut, turn the saw sideways and cut horizontally to meet your first cut, you need to make sure that your cut meets both ends of you first cut neatly. an easy way to do this is to start with the edge of your saw at one end of the cut and roll you saw around the trunk to meet the other side of the cut, now you can proceed with your cut into the tree to create the notch. Once your cut is complete clear out the free piece to create a notch, make sure that where your two cuts meet is smooth as if they are rough or don’t line up properly this will affect the fall of your tree. You don’t want to cut to deep into the tree as it will weaken the tree and it could fall without warning.

Felling the tree

For the felling cut, move to the opposite side of the tree and make a horizontal cut slightly above your previous cut, ideally your cut should be within an inch of the level cut of your notch. If you make your cut to far up the tree you run the risk of creating an unsafe situation where the hinge will not have timber to support it and it could give way without warning.

This cut needs to be done towards the direction of your notch and you are aiming to create a hinge with a width of about 10% of the tree. In order to make an accurate cut you can make a guide cut, this can be done by placing a slow-running chainsaw above your notch and then rock the saw around the trunk to the back to create a guide cut.

Take your time and proceeding with caution start to make your initial cut into the tree, making sure you are sawing in the direction that you want your tree to fall. Once you get past the depth of the saw’s bar, you can begin to drive your wedge into the cut. To do this stop the saw and with the back of your axe or another wedge tap the wedge into place, ensuring that you do not touch the saw blade. Doing this will keep the chainsaw’s bar from getting stuck as well as keeping the pressure on the tree to fall forward.

You can now continue with your cut, as the cut gets deeper continue tapping your wedge into the cut, as you are tapping you don’t want to forcing the wedge into the wood, you just want to keep pressure on the cut.

When your cut gets within your hinge width from the notch you can stop cutting and remove the saw from the tree. You don’t want to saw all the way through the tree to your notch as this will cause the tree to free-fall and that could spell disaster. When removing the saw from the tree always make sure your chain brake is on, you don’t want to accidently hit the gas and cause the saw to cut deeper into your hinge. If everything has gone well you should notice the cut beginning to open at this point, if not continue to drive your wedges carefully to make the tree begin falling. Listen for the creaking and snapping sounds as the tree is about to start falling, you should now quickly exit a safe distance from the tree down your planned escape path.

Limbing the tree

Once your tree is safely on the ground you can now start the process of removing the branches from the tree. Always start at the bottom of the tree and carefully work your way up the tree, removing the limbs that are not touching the ground first. You can cut downwards this is called a pulling chain as the saw will be pulled away from you, or you can cut up called a pushing chain as this will push the saw back into your body. When cutting larger branches offsetting your cuts will keep the chain from binding. Limbs on the underside of the trunk can be removed if you have a good working height, if you have branches under tension these should be left until you are able to turn the tree. Large branches can be under great tension, you should attempt to section these branches by starting to cut them at the end of the branch and work towards the trunk, cutting the branch into smaller pieces.

Bucking

Once you have removed the branches it is now time to cut the trunk into pieces, this process is called bucking. Examine the trunk and look for where the wood might compress, cutting in a downward direction cut a third of the way through the side where compression might take place, then cut a 1 inch offset in an upwards direction from the opposite side, this will allow you to cut through the trunk in a controlled manner without the saw binding. When cutting in a downward manner you can also use a wedge to hold open your gap and stop binding from occurring.

If your log is on the ground cut half way through the log and then turn it to finish the cut, this will save you from damaging your saw by touching the ground and taking the edge off the chain making it dull. If your log is supported on one end start your cut from the bottom and then finish it off by cutting down. Make sure all of your pieces are cut into manageable pieces so they can be stack easily away from the work area. With all of you cuts take your time and be patient, carefully working your way through the job.

Safety Tips | How to Cut Down A Tree

Tree felling is risky business and should not be taken lightly. You need to focus fully on what you’re doing when cutting down a tree so that you don’t make a fatal mistake.

DO:

  • Make sure you have read the operating instructions for your saw.
  • Always start your saw on the ground to avoid accidents.
  • Practice on smaller trees to get more comfortable before taking on a larger tree.
  • Make sure your chainsaw has a full tank of gas and oil. For battery-operated chainsaws be sure it is fully charged.
  • Always make you cuts on stable ground making sure you have good traction to avoid slipping.
  • Try to make your cuts below shoulder height wherever possible
  • Always keep your eyes on the falling tree as you are walking away from it to avoid mishaps.

DON’T

  • Never run while carrying a chainsaw.
  • Attempt to fell a tree while fatigued, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or unwell.
  • Use a saw with a dull blade, not working properly, or unsuitable for the job at hand.
  • Wear unsuitable footwear like sandals, or open-toed shoes while working.
  • Don’t do it yourself if you don’t feel comfortable, have the right tools, equipment or experience. In this case you should hire a professional.

Are You Ready to Fell That Tree

Taking the information in this guide on how to cut down a tree with a chainsaw into account you should consider the alternative option. You should never be tempted to take shortcuts for the sake of saving time and money. Regardless of whether the tree is large or small in size, safety should always be your first priority. If you’re trying to save money consider the cost of hiring a professional compared to the total price of the equipment and safety gear you’ll need to do the job right.

If you already own a saw, consider if it is up to the job at hand, or will you need to purchase a new one? A high quality chainsaw could cost you the same if not more money than the cost of a professional. Will you need to buy the additional (and necessary) safety gear for the job? Also, take into account the location of the tree, if the tree to be felled is in close proximity to power lines, other houses, or a highway then it’s best to call in the professionals. Call and ask around for pricing from reputable tree cutting companies in your area and do a little research to ensure their credibility. Prices for professional tree cutting services vary by location, size and type of tree, and the number of trees you want to be cut down. The quote may range anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to well over a thousand but it’s much better to be out a few dollars and hire someone with experience and skill than cause an accident that could cost you much more.

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