Felling trees needs experience, precision, and a focus on safety. Whether you’re a professional tree services professional or a homeowner trying to clear your land, knowing the necessary procedures is critical to avoiding accidents and completing the task effectively.

In this blog, we’ll take you through the critical processes of safely felling trees, from planning to making the proper cut. Here is how to go about it:

Always plan for the cutting

Before you pick up a chainsaw, make a comprehensive plan. Consider the measures below to ensure a smooth operation:

Assess the Site: Look for obstructions around the tree, such as buildings, power wires, other trees, and anything else that could cause a hazard or harm during the felling process.

Obtain Permissions: Make sure you have the proper permissions from local officials, especially if you’re working in a protected area or near public highways.

Be cautious of the tree height and lean.

Measuring Tree Height: To estimate height, use a stick method. Hold a vertical stick at arm’s length and align its top with the top of the tree. Adjust your hand until the bottom of the stick is level with the base of the tree. The distance between you and the tree will be approximately equal to its height.

Checking for Lean: Stand back and look at the tree from various angles to see whether it has a natural lean. The lean’s direction can influence the tree’s fall, so keep this in mind when planning.

Check the felling direction.

Clear a Path: Determine the optimal direction for the tree’s fall, taking into account natural lean, wind direction, and any impediments. Clear any rubbish or underbrush from the path where the tree will fall.

Mark the area: Use markers or rope to indicate the desired felling direction. This visual assistance will keep you and your team informed of the projected fall line.

Have an escape route

Once the tree begins to fall, you must have a clear and secure escape path in place.

Plan Your Exit: Determine at least two escape routes at a 45-degree angle from the direction of the fall. Clear these channels of any impediments that may impede your retreat.

Stay Alert: Always be aware of your surroundings and ready to use your escape route as soon as the tree begins to fall.

Make the right cuts

There are three primary cuts that you can use to cut your tree. These are the notch cut, the felling cut, and the back cut.

Notch Cut: Begin by cutting a notch on the side of the tree that faces the anticipated fall direction. This entails making a horizontal cut approximately one-third of the way through the tree, then an angled cut above it to remove a wedge-shaped chunk of wood.

Felling Cut: On the opposite side of the tree, make a horizontal cut just above the bottom of the notch cut. This cut should leave a hinge of uncut wood to help control the fall.

Back Cut: This cut is made on the other side of the notch, just above the bottom cut. It should meet the notch cut without going through the hinge.

Consider pruning the trunk first.

When you’ve cleared the area, put up your warning signs and pick which way the tree will fall and where you’ll flee. You should make sure you have adequate petrol in the tank for the upcoming mission.

You should prune the trunk to remove any branches or twigs that may interfere with sawing the felling cut. The safest technique to prune a tree is from the top down, using a pulling chain (the underside of the guide bar).

Use the right felling tools.

There are various felling equipment to choose from when removing a tree. The tree’s size dictates the type of forestry equipment used. The tiniest trees rarely require felling tools. Hand force is sufficient, potentially with the help of a long pole.

The felling wedge has a stronger felling force than other forms of breaking bars. In severe instances, a rope and a winch are the safest and most powerful methods of felling a tree. Some of the other tools that you can use include:

The foot-breaking bar is excellent for thinning small trees. Insert the tool before finishing the felling cut, and stand with your entire weight on the lever arm. The breaking bar is often telescopic, and you can store it in a holster on your logging belt.

The breaking bar is another tool you can use, and it’s best used for tiny trees. To maximize the lifting force, insert the tool in the center of the felling cut at the far back before completing it. Lift with your legs, keeping your back straight.

The impact bar serves the same purpose as the breaking bar, but you can also use it as a hitting instrument when using falling wedges.

Felling wedges are ideal for medium to giant trees. They are best to use when you insert them before the felling cut is complete and hammered in with an axe or impact bar. Always use plastic or aluminum wedges to avoid harming the chain if you accidentally cut into them.

You use a winch in situations that require maximum force and safety. You connect a wire as far up in the tree as possible to maximize its effect.

Always inspect the tree for diseases.

If you discover the timber is discolored and soft, or if the bottom part of the trunk appears bloated or unhealthy, proceed with caution. This indicates that the tree is afflicted with rot, which weakens the wood fibers.

When this happens, fall in the tree’s natural direction and utilize a winch if you’re not sure. Rot infection typically subsides higher up in the tree. Therefore, one alternative could be to fall the tree with an extra tall stump.

Parting shot

These are some of the strategies you should use to ensure that you fell a tree as safely as possible. While you can quickly bring down a small tree, if the tree is large, you are better off hiring tree removal services Bethesda to help you out.