Felling a tree with a chainsaw demands precision, planning, and respect for the inherent dangers involved. The sheer force and unpredictable nature of falling timber present significant risks, even for experienced operators. Understanding the mechanics of the cut and the tree’s reaction is paramount to ensuring a controlled outcome. This guide provides information on the technical steps required for tree felling. Due to the high-risk nature of this work, professional training and certification are always recommended before attempting to fell a tree.
Site Assessment and Safety Preparation
Before approaching the tree, the operator must don appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to mitigate potential hazards. This includes a forestry helmet, specialized eye protection against flying debris, and ear protection to prevent hearing damage. Leg protection, such as chainsaw chaps made with ballistic fibers, is mandatory, as are steel-toed boots for foot protection and stability.
A thorough analysis of the tree’s natural tendencies and immediate surroundings must precede any cut. Operators should determine the tree’s natural lean, which is the direction the tree is inclined to fall due to wind, terrain, or uneven weight distribution. A visual inspection for “widow makers”—dead or detached limbs lodged in the canopy—is necessary, as these can fall unexpectedly during felling.
The intended fall direction must be clear of obstructions, including structures, power lines, or other trees. Once the fall direction is established, the operator must clear two distinct escape routes positioned approximately 45 degrees away from the planned felling path, moving backward and diagonally. These routes must be free of brush, rocks, and tripping hazards to allow for a rapid and unimpeded retreat immediately after the final cut. The area surrounding the tree’s base should also be cleared to ensure stable footing while operating the saw.
Executing the Directional Notch
The first step in controlling the tree’s descent is creating the directional notch, also known as the undercut or face cut. The primary function of this wedge-shaped removal is to predetermine the exact point of the tree’s collapse, guiding the fall. The notch acts as the mouth that closes as the tree falls, preventing the trunk from splitting uncontrollably or falling in an unintended direction.
The process begins with the horizontal cut, which forms the bottom of the notch and must be level. This cut is made on the side of the tree facing the intended direction of fall, establishing the floor where the trunk will pivot. The depth of this horizontal cut should penetrate the trunk between one-fifth and one-third of the tree’s total diameter to provide adequate guidance.
Next, the sloping cut forms the top of the notch. This cut is made at a downward angle, typically between 45 and 70 degrees, meeting the horizontal cut precisely. The objective is to remove a clean wedge of wood, ensuring the two cuts converge at the exact same point to form a sharp apex.
A precisely executed notch ensures that the trunk fibers on the tension side are cleanly severed, allowing the tree to pivot predictably. If the cuts do not meet cleanly, the resulting uneven surface can hinder the control mechanism, leading to an unpredictable break or an uncontrolled fall.
Making the Felling Cut and Managing the Hinge
Once the directional notch is complete, attention shifts to the felling cut, the final action that initiates the tree’s fall. The control mechanism relies entirely on the remaining section of uncut wood, known as the hinge wood. This hinge is a band of wood fibers left between the apex of the notch and the felling cut, acting as a flexible tether that steers the tree.
The felling cut, or back cut, is executed on the opposite side of the tree from the notch. This cut must be made horizontally and should be started slightly higher than the horizontal cut of the directional notch, typically by one or two inches. This slight elevation ensures the hinge wood is not prematurely severed, maintaining directional control until the last possible moment.
As the saw blade progresses through the trunk, the operator should utilize felling wedges. These are driven into the cut to prevent the saw bar from becoming pinched by the tree’s compressive weight. Wedges also help lift the center of gravity and initiate movement, which is useful for trees leaning slightly backward or neutrally balanced. The wedges must be inserted before the cut approaches the planned thickness of the hinge wood.
The operator must monitor the remaining thickness of the hinge; the ideal hinge should be uniform across the trunk and equal to roughly one-tenth of the tree’s diameter. A hinge that is too thin will tear prematurely, causing the tree to drop uncontrollably. Conversely, one that is too thick may require excessive force to break, leading to binding. As the cut nears completion, the operator will observe initial signs of movement, often manifesting as small cracks or pops in the hinge wood.
At the moment the tree begins its descent, the operator must loudly yell a warning, such as “Timber!”, to alert anyone in the vicinity. Immediately after the tree begins to move, the operator must cease cutting and rapidly retreat along one of the pre-cleared 45-degree escape routes. The hinge wood stretches and tears in a controlled manner, guiding the tree precisely into the opening created by the notch, ensuring a safe, predictable fall.
Safe Processing of the Fallen Tree
After the tree has landed, the process transitions to preparing the material for removal, beginning with limbing. Limbing involves removing branches from the trunk, and this should always be done by cutting away from the body to maintain control. The operator should stand on the opposite side of the trunk from the branch being cut, using the trunk as a barrier.
Once the trunk is cleared of branches, the process of bucking begins, which means cutting the main stem into manageable lengths. A significant hazard during processing involves the internal forces within the wood, specifically tension and compression. Operators must be aware of logs that are bent or resting across uneven terrain, as these pieces hold energy that can cause them to snap or jump when cut.
Cutting through wood under high tension can result in a “spring pole” effect, where the released energy causes the log end to whip up unexpectedly. Cuts should be made carefully, often using a bore cut technique to minimize the risk of the saw binding.
If a tree fails to fall completely and becomes “hung-up” in the canopy of another tree, the situation becomes extremely dangerous and requires specialized equipment. The rule in this scenario is never to attempt to resolve the hazard by cutting down the supporting tree, as this action can lead to catastrophic and unpredictable collapse. Only controlled winching or professional assistance should be used to bring down a hung-up tree safely.