Of course, the most important part of felling a tree is making sure it … This will keep you out of the felling zone and the side where the trunk separates from the stump. Gloves that enhance grip (not just any utility gloves). So, how does one do this properly? Chain saw if regular tree trimming is in your furture A decent sawzall is probably one of the most usefully tools you should have around the house. That means, you can’t just go around cutting down trees with your chainsaw. Saw into the tree, leaving 1 inch of wood; don't saw completely through the tree trunk. As you can probably imagine, I was concerned that it wouldn’t work. The best way to go about this is to analyze the tree. The chainsaw should not go more than ⅓ through the tree. Pruning Trees Technique. If you’re right-handed, notch the face cuts on the right side of the trunk. If you follow the steps here to the letter, felling trees of even substantial size should be little to no problem and will save you tons of money down the line. Before you actually set to begin cutting down a tree with a chainsaw there are a few necessary steps you must take. It’s a potentially dangerous job that’s best left to trained professionals. I also have a dedicated page on the best 18 inch chainsaws which are an excellent length for felling medium to large size trees. Never leave a site with a hung up tree. The notch is made on the side of the tree that faces the direction you want it to fall. Tip 3: Assess the area around the tree. Now I am quite good at using a chainsaw, and I understand that all my worries were unnecessary. How to Use a Chainsaw. If the tree is still upright, then you’ll want to use a felling wedge to make the tree begin to fall. If not…. This makes clearing at least two escape routes absolutely essential. A comfortable height for making face cuts is about 24 inches from the ground. The bar on the Husqvarna chainsaw I was using was 20 inches. So, pick the one that seems most logical to you, and over time, try out each type of notch on other trees so you can find the one you like best. Ropes (optional) – in the case of trees that are touching various obstacles, some people prefer to use ropes and a few friends to make sure the tree goes where they need it. You’ll learn about the various types of chainsaws, which features makes each one stand out, and find reviews of the top 10 chainsaws you can buy today. Vines, in particular, can pose a problem, as they are hard to see and can be incredibly strong, causing all sorts of unpredictable behavior in a falling tree. When it comes to how to cut down a tree with a chainsaw, you have three options. Once the tree is down, you’ll want to begin cutting off the limbs one by one. Cut a 70-degree open-face notch on the tree with your chainsaw on the side of the tree facing the direction you want it to fall. Regardless of the height, if the tree is not leaning in one particular direction, then you can usually pick any direction for it to fall. Insert wedges and hammer until the tree begins to topple. After all, doing things yourself should never take a back seat to do things safely. The notch is made on the side of the tree that faces the direction you want it to fall. To fell a tree with a chainsaw, you will need to make three cuts, two on the … Now that you know how to cut down a tree with a chainsaw, you may be wanting to buy your first chainsaw or upgrade an existing tool. If the tree your cutting down has any branches that are shoulder height or lower, then you’ll want to remove those before you actually fell the tree. When using a chainsaw, you will also need to have the right safety equipment. It’s important to note that anyone pulling a tree toward them should be well beyond any potential falling point, including any potential for rolling or sliding. Saw a horizontal cut one-third of the way through the trunk of the palm tree on the side of the trunk … I also have another post on the best 18 inch chainsaws which are ideal for cutting down the average size tree. If a tree gets hung up, deal with it immediately. How do you manage the process without injuring yourself (or others)? Walk around the tree to the opposite side. If you’re up to tackling the job yourself, however, there are some techniques and tricks that can be used to cut down a tree with a chainsaw safely, easily, and cheaply. The trouble is, … Most importantly, how are you feeling today? Felling wedges – whether you make them yourself or buy them from a store, felling wedges are an essential tool to keep your saw from getting pinched while cutting. If you must leave the tree to go find help, rope off the area so that anyone who passes by is aware of the possible danger of a falling tree. Though these may hinder your movements a little, it’s a small price to pay for your safety. NOTE: Don’t try to saw all the way through in one cut! Clear the base of the tree. One thing I need to mention up front is that some areas have strict environmental regulations. While smaller trees (less than a foot in diameter) will usually pose little problem, larger trees (up to the size of your chainsaw’s cutting surface) will require careful planning and specific tools. Click to … But don’ worry, I’ll make sure you know everything necessary for this job so it will go as smooth as possible. A comfortable height for making face cuts is about 24 inches from the ground. Check the tree carefully – if the tree is leaning heavily to one side, it’s going to go that way no matter which way to you cut. If you have a chainsaw, then there is a good chance you will be cutting logs sooner or later. You need to. Once the tree is down, you'll have to remove the branches. Leave a little, so the tree doesn’t fall while your chainsaw is in the cut (Hinge). Using it is also very easy, and you will get used to it every day more. The next cut is at a downward angle above the first cut, about 60 degrees or so, at a depth so the two cuts meet. Start the chainsaw and make the initial top cut down into the tree. Like always, safety comes first when it comes to cutting down trees. This is advanced work that will require hours of saw use, and a lot can go wrong if you’re not experienced or careful. NOTE: Be sure to take into account any slopes in the fall zone, which could cause the tree to roll or slide. Please share to your friends: A chainsaw can be an invaluable tool around the home, especially during the colder, Every chainsaw will eventually need servicing and replacement of its parts. The tree may start to fall at this point. This is the "hinge". Place the cut 2 feet off the ground. Turn on the chainsaw and carefully cut down into the tree at a 70-degree angle. Long sleeves to protect arms and shoulders from flying debris. However, if the tree is a manageable size, you may choose to tackle the job yourself. The back cut is made on the opposite side of the notch and exact height will depend on the type of notch you chose: Once you’ve made the back cut with your chainsaw, the tree may start to fall. A good safety tip here is to work at an angle that puts the tree trunk between you and the chainsaw when removing the lower branches. Stop cutting when you’re a few inches away from the notch. If you’re left-handed, make the face cuts on the left. If you’re trying to save money consider how much would it cost to … Stop cutting when there is a parallel strip of uncut timber not less than 1/10th of the diameter of the tree. As with anything that involves building (or tearing down), there are correct tools for the job, and there are incorrect tools for the job. A light-use chainsaw can get damaged when cutting thick tree trunks since it has a small blasé and cutting bar. We’ll cover all of these in the sections below. It may take longer, but you’ll still get it done. The first two cuts you need to learn for how to fell a tree with a chainsaw are the face cuts. Mistake 1: Not wearing protective gear; Mistake 2: Skipping the pre-work inspection; Mistake 3: Not planning an escape route; Mistake 4: Using a dull chainsaw ... hand gloves, and kevlar chaps. You can also hurt yourself or those around you. Make the top cut of the hinge (ensure you make it at a height that there will be plenty of room for the lower cut. Do not cut all the way through. In others, some sort of pin attachment will be needed in order to give whoever is pulling the rope the proper leverage. In this guide, we will discuss how to correctly cut logs with a chainsaw. If the tree does not fall, do not cut further into the hinge. Get rid of falling … In this post, I’ll teach you everything you need to know about how to cut down a tree with a chainsaw. You can cut downward with the bottom of the bar. A gas-powered chainsaw with a bar length of 20 inches or more is most effective for fellin… So, before you start felling the tree with your chainsaw you first need to make sure that the area around the tree and your getaway path is clear of debris and other obstacles. So, I’ll also teach you how to fell a tree with a chainsaw. For small to medium sized trees, you may be able to measure the vertical height and then get an accurate distance of how much space it will cover when felled on the ground horizontally. The Difference Between a Big and Small Tree. The top of the notch should be the shallowest part of the cut, while the bottom of the notch will be the deepest area of the cut. For a larger tree you would simply cut it down from the trunk and then limb it, but with this smaller tree it was easier to cut the branches first and set them aside and then cut off firewood sized pieces from the larger branches and trunk. So, it’s best that you don’t attempt this type of thing without professional help. After you’ve surveyed the area and feel confident that you’re not going to cause any damage to structures (or injuries to people), you can now figure out which direction you want to fell the tree. Cut into the backside of the tree directly behind, and slightly above the open face notch. Without a doubt, the bar length of a chainsaw is the most important factor that determines not only the size of your saw, but also the type and volume of work it can take on. After all, there are always reasons why trees need to come down, from damage and rotting to simply making more room on one’s property. The rule of thumb is to cut it to a depth of anywhere between 1/5th and 1/3rd the diameter of the tree. I hope the techniques outlined in this … This process is also referred to as “felling” a tree. Designing the Fall Direction. Like this post? That post will help you find the best chainsaw to take down trees that meets your specific needs. And each one uses three cuts to make what’s called a “notch”. For instance: if the diameter of the tree is wider than the cutting area of the saw, different techniques will need to be employed in order to properly fell the tree. Start with a horizontal cut. It’s usually best to start from the area furthest from the top, as the branches will be thicker and you can use the heavy trunk to support your cut. They also make a good size for cutting firewood, which you can learn more about in this guide on the best chainsaw for cutting firewood. The cutting procedure for felling a tree with chainsaw begins with a “hinge cut,” which is a roughly 90-degree cut (30 degrees at the bottom and 60 degrees at the top) made into the side of the tree in the direction you want it to fall. For really tall trees that are not measurable, you’ll need to make your best guess by eyeballing it. If it is still attached, cut it clear or use a felling lever. Step back and shut off the chainsaw. NOTE: Once you make this cut, you have determined the direction in which the tree will fall, and you cannot change it. ... but this technique is best for small trees that you can easily handle. The actual “felling cut” will be made from the other side of this cut, toward the point where the two hinge cuts meet. You also need to check for any dead branches that might fall on your head while you’re cutting, as well as anything else that might prove problematic. Though some people cut with the chainsaw until the tree goes down, this can be a bit risky for obvious reasons. It will also help to eliminate any close snapping wood that could ricochet off the ground and fly back toward you. Small trees can be felled without having to worry too much, about where the tree will land. You also want to pay attention to the other trees as well. Insert the wedge into the back cut and tap it with a sledge hammer until the tree starts to fall. Use a felling lever or wedge. For example, if the tree is next to a stream, you may not want to let it fall in that direction since cutting that portion of the timber could be difficult. Sometimes a tree may become lodged or stuck in another tree when it’s on the way down. It is also a good idea to use chalk or a “chalk line” tool to give yourself a clear spot to shoot for. The bottom of the notch cut should be 1–2 feet (0.30–0.61 m) off the ground. I know from personal experience working in the forestry industry for years. You have probably heard it said that a dull knife is a dangerous knife. The tree should now start to fall, so move quickly out of the way to your safe place. Mistakes You Can Make When Cutting Down a Tree With a Chainsaw. Go too deep, and you risk the tree falling while you’re standing in front of it. Hinge-cutting is a popular technique for enhancing deer habitat, but this technique is best for small trees that you can easily handle. The apex of the notch should go approximately 1/3rd into the tree. Step 4 But, if it’s in a neighbors yard or another piece of land, then you’ll want to make sure you get any of the necessary permits (or permission) to take down the tree. Move back at an angle to get clear. Cutting down a tree, also known as felling a tree, requires careful planning and a high degree of skill. If there are any public areas or chances for people to walk (or drive) through the location, put up warning signs so they can be aware that active logging is taking place. Lever up the butt and slide it a few cms. In some cases, the tree will begin to topple at this point. The first two cuts you need to learn for how to fell a tree with a chainsaw are the face cuts. First of all, you need to check if the chainsaw is ready for work, then you need to put some gasoline if it's not full; after that, you turn it on bu pulling the starting cord. Anytime you plan on revving up a chainsaw, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re wearing the proper safety equipment. To prevent the falling branch from tearing the bark from the trunk as it falls, make a cut a foot or so from the trunk and cut from below the branch, so that the limb sags. Two plastic felling wedges will prevent your saw from getting pinched during a … This includes premature breakage, cracking, or even having the trunk collapse during cutting. If the tree you want to fell is on your own property, you’re likely to be fine. However, if you are … If the tree is heavily damaged or rotten, for instance, it may not behave in the same way a healthy tree would. That is why we wrote this guide to make the process safe and efficient for all chainsaw users. And you want to saw to a depth of about 20-25% of the tree’s diameter. Try to imagine all possible scenarios before cutting with your chainsaw. If … The felling wedge acts as a lever that gives the tree a push in the right direction for it to tip over. Make a back cut to meet the upper part of the wedge cut. ), How to Use an Electric Chainsaw (A Step-by-Step Guide), How to Stack Firewood (The Top 3 Methods for You to Try), International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). Make sure there is no debris, logs, or other objects that would keep you from getting away from the falling tree quickly. That means you will have to find a clear path in which the tree will fall. Like others have said they make special blades just for pruning. So now you know what way the tree is going to fall, you have a clear path, the tree is pruned and you have an escape route, it’s finally time to cut down the tree! Go to the side of the tree and begin working your way to the back. This is one of the easiest ways to get injured. You can usually get away with estimating the angles required to make the hinge cut, but some chainsaws come with built-in tools to help make the cuts more accurate. Step 1: Cut a Notch in the Felling Direction Make it a big notch that goes more than halfway through the tree. It’s not safe to attempt to hinge-cut large trees, for reasons I will explain. On top of that, inconsistencies in the natural wood itself or interference from other objects around the cutting area can cause a bounce or even chain breakage, which can cause injuries to life and limb in the blink of an eye. I hope you enjoyed this guide on how to fell a tree with a chainsaw. The "mouth" part of this notch faces in the direction you want your tree to fall. Ideally, they would be at least a 45-degree angle from the “drop zone” and each other. To untangle a small tree pull the butt away from the stump. Cutting a large log with a small chainsaw is never too hard provided you use the proper techniques. (& Are They Safer Than Gas Chainsaws? If so, stay calm, keep your eyes on the tree and move away quickly. Choose Where to Cut. Today, there’s an electric-powered saw for pretty much anything. A Humboldt cut is a three-step process for cutting down a tree (or part … Tall trees are extremely heavy and you don’t want to make the mistake of taking down a house, barn, power line, fence, or other structure along with the tree by accident. This is especially true of any other trees that may have intersecting branches or any vines from nearby foliage. This procedure is called “bucking,” and takes the most time of the entire tree cutting procedure. If that happens, the best thing you can do is get help from an experienced logger. Felling a tree with a chainsaw takes crucial planning and thought before you go at it. To do the former, hold the handle or piece of wood at arm’s length and close one eye. It’s not uncommon for a tree to have a ripple effect with other trees when it comes crashing down. Ear and eye protection for sawdust and flying chips. On one very hot day, I had to cut down a white ash tree that had a 36-inch diameter. In some cities, there are specific ways to dispose of the debris, while others may have lumber yards that will pay a premium for the wood (and pick it up to boot). It doesn’t matter if it’s, A chainsaw mill is definitely a tool of choice when you want to rip, Big projects demand powerful and big chainsaws. 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