How To Cut A Tree Down With A Chainsaw

The process of cutting a tree down is known as “felling” and the best tool to carry out this process is a chainsaw. However, it’s not as simple as cutting straight through the wood.

Felling a tree can be extremely dangerous if you don’t use the right technique and that’s why it’s usually carried out by professionals.

However, you can do it yourself by following the right steps if you want. This article goes through a step-by-step method that you can use to cut a tree down with a chainsaw.

How To Cut A Tree Down With A Chainsaw

A chainsaw is a powerful tool that can be used for different purposes like cutting trees, pruning, and even carving wood logs. Use the following steps to cut a tree down with a chainsaw effectively.

Step 1: Research Local Regulations

The first step is to research your local environmental laws and regulations. That’s because you need a permit to cut a tree down in some places. You’re likely fine if a tree that you need to cut is located on your property.

But I recommend you contact the local environmental department to make sure whether you need a permit or not. If you break the law, even without knowing, you might need to pay hefty fines.

Step 2: Prepare Your Chainsaw

You need to make sure that your chainsaw is in good condition. 

• Inspect the blade/chain for any signs of damage or wear and replace it if needed. Replace the chain if needed.
• You should also look for loose nuts and bolts and cracks in the chainsaw’s housing. 
• If you’re using a corded chainsaw, inspect the cord for any damage.

Never try to cut a tree with a chainsaw that’s not in an optimal condition. Not only will it make the cutting process difficult but it’ll also increase the risk of kickbacks that can lead to a severe injury.

Step 3: Plan Felling Direction of Tree

It’s important to make sure that the tree you cut falls away from your home or any other structure. 

You should choose the falling direction where no people or animals are present and the tree mustn’t impinge on power lines as well.

Step 4: Estimate Felling Tree Reach

Keep in mind that trees are larger than they look. You can use the stick to calculate how far a tree you want to cut will fall. 

While the part might seem obvious, spend some time working out the tree’s path as it falls. It can be difficult to estimate how tall the tree will be once it’s fallen on the ground, so give yourself plenty of room.

This is how you can roughly calculate the height of your tree with a stick.

1. Hold a stick vertically in your hand with your arm stretched out straight.
2. Close one of your eyes and move away from the tree until the stick’s bottom is perfectly aligned with the tree base and the stick’s top is aligned with the top of the tree.
3. Now rotate the stick to bring it to the horizontal position. Make sure that the bottom of the stick is still at the base of the tree.
4. Place a marker where the top of the stick appears to be with the help of a friend or family member.

The marker will represent the reach of the felling tree.

Step 5: Clear Felling and Cutting Area

Once you know the cutting direction and the reach of the felling tree, you need to clear the falling path. Make sure that you remove people, objects, pets, and all other obstacles that are in that area.

You’ll also need to make a couple of escape routes on the opposite side of the tree’s falling direction. It’ll allow you to immediately reach a safe spot when the tree begins to fall.

After that, clear tree branches that are located around the base. You don’t want anything to get in your way while you’re using a chainsaw to cut a tree down.

Step 6: Ensure Safety

Ensuring personal safety is critically important when using any power tool including a chainsaw. Wear the following protective gear before you start the cutting process.

• A high-quality pair of leather gloves to keep your hands safe from splinters.
• Safety goggles to protect your eyes from wood chips.
• A dust mask or respirator to protect your respiratory system from the dust and debris that the cutting process generates.
• A heavy-duty pair of steel-toed boots to protect your feet from falling objects like big wood pieces and branches.
• Earbuds/ear muffs to protect your ears from the loud noise that a chainsaw creates.
• A hard hat to ensure head protection against falling objects.
• Chainsaw chaps to protect your legs from the blade.

Step 7: Cut a Notch

Start the cutting process by creating a notch on the falling side of the tree to control the falling direction. The depth of the notch should be about one-fifth of the diameter of the tree’s trunk. Use the following steps to create a notch.

1. Turn your chainsaw on and start making a downward cut at a 60 degree angle.
2. Stop when you have reached one-fifth of the way through the trunk.
3. Rotate the chainsaw and start making an upward cut at a 30 degree angle. It should be about four to five inches below the first cut.
4. Stop when the second cut meets the first one.
5. Use your hand or a hammer to remove a wedge that you just cut and it’ll leave a notch behind.

The thicker your tree trunk, the better the saw you’ll need. Smaller trees can get by with smaller, battery operated chainsaw, but larger trees will require using a big 20” chainsaw.

Step 8: Start Cutting from the Backside

Next, go to the opposite side of the tree and make your back cut. Make sure you start the cut at least three inches higher than the notch’s apex and move towards it. It’ll make a downward angle that’ll help the tree to fall in the desired direction.

Make sure that you stop once only a half-inch is left to reach the apex of the notch. Move away to the escape route if the tree has started to fall.

Important Note: There should be a lookout person to inform you immediately once the tree starts to fall as it’s difficult to determine from the base of the tree.

Step 9: Use Felling Wedge

If you’re cutting a very big tree, it might not start falling on its own after you’ve made the back cut. If that’s the case, you need to tap in one or two felling wedges in the back cut. 

Use a hammer to insert the wedges and keep tapping them until the tree starts to fall.

You might also need to use your chainsaw again after installing the wedges. In such a case, make sure that you use polymer wedges to keep the chain of your device from getting damaged. Don’t forget to reach the escape route immediately as the tree starts to fall.

FAQs

Final Words

Cutting down a tree with a chainsaw is not an easy process. It requires a lot of planning to make sure you don’t end up with an unwanted accident. I hope this guide will help you understand the right method to cut a tree down with a chainsaw safely and efficiently.