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How to cut down a tree with a chainsaw: Step by Step

In this blog post, I will discuss with you a simple yet comprehensive method of how to fell a tree using your chainsaw.

To cut down a tree with a chainsaw follow these Steps:

  • Step 1: Consider why you want to cut down the tree
  • Step 2: Decide which time of the year is ideal for cutting down your tree
  • Step 3: Get permission to cut down the tree from your local authorities
  • Step 4: Put on licensed and approved personal protection equipment (PPE)
  • Step 5: Ask your trusted assistant or friend to look for the animals and people in the surrounding area
  • Step 6: Find out the direction in which your tree will fall
  • Step 7: Clear out at least two escape routes
  • Step 8: Prepare your chainsaw
  • Step 9: Inspect all the parts of your chainsaw and make sure that they are functioning properly
  • Step 10: Start your chainsaw
  • Step 11: Make a directional notch
  • Step 12: Guide your tree when it falls

Step 1: Consider why you want to cut down the tree:

There can be several reasons to cut down a tree using a chainsaw. Sometimes a huge tree turns into an obstruction on your pathway. Sometimes you might need the wood for a utility such as creating furniture, creating planks or firewood.

You must remember that you must not cut down trees just for fun because they supply us with fresh oxygen and absorb the carbon dioxide present around us. They help with rainfall.

Step 2: Decide which time of the year is ideal for cutting down your tree:

If you want to cut down only a single limb or branch of your tree, then you must wait until the tree is fully dormant in the middle of the winter season, to make your cuts. The reason to prune your tree when it is fully dormant is that it will get enough time to heal up fully before the attack of the threatening pests. If you have extremely cold winters, you must wait until the coldest part of winter has passed before you prune your tree.

Step 3: Get permission to cut down the tree from your local authorities:

In many countries and states, it is strictly prohibited to cut down the trees by the environmental departments. If the tree is on your personal property then it is OK to cut it down without any permission. But if you are planning to cut down a tree on public land or on someone else’s private property, then you must have a documented permission, to show if any questions are asked.

Remember that if you break the rules and cut down the tree illegally, you will have to face a penalty.

Step 4: Put on licensed and approved personal protection equipment (PPE):

Whenever you are planning to cut down a tree with a chainsaw, it is very important to put on a helmet to prevent your head from getting any injury from the falling tree. You must remember that a chainsaw is very noisy, so you will need earmuffs to avoid any damage to your hearing.  Chainsaw chaps are really important to protect your legs from getting cut in case you drop the chainsaw.

You must also put on gloves, long sleeves, steel toe boots, face screen and goggles to prevent the dust from getting into your eyes.

Step 5: Ask your trusted assistant or friend to look for the animals and people in the surrounding area:

You should ask for the assistance of a trusted friend to ensure that there are no people or animals passing-by within the radius of the felling zone, which must be at least 2 times the length of the tree you intend to fell. Once the tree is cut and it is about to be fell, both of you must move out of its path. Both of you should shout “Timber”, to keep the passersby away from the felling zone.

Step 6: Find out the direction in which your tree will fall:

You must view the tree that you are cutting from all angles to find out if it leans in any one specific direction. If yes, you must determine whether it will damage your house, car, walls, patio, pergola, fences, driveways, sheds, or your neighbours’ surrounding property. Remember also, to determine that it will not fall back across your roof.

You must proceed with cutting down your tree with your chainsaw only if you are satisfied with its direction where it will fall. You should also consider the speed and direction of the wind when felling a huge tree because wind can alter the direction in which your tree falls.

You can estimate where a tree will fall by using the “axe handle trick.” It is how to fell a tree in the direction you want: you must hold an axe handle at an arm’s length, and then close one of your eyes, and then you must back away from or move toward the tree that you intend to cut down, until the top of your axe is even with the treetop and the bottom of your axe is even with the base of the tree. Your feet should be almost where the treetop will rest after falling.

This is a rough estimation, so you must always allow some extra room if there is something the tree might fall on

Step 7: Clear out at least two escape routes:

Even when you are 100% sure of the direction the tree that you intend to cut down with your chainsaw is going to fall, you are still not fully prepared to fell it. First of all, you must cut down any brush around the trunk of the tree and then you must clear 2 escape routes on the “non-falling” zone of the tree. Both of these escape routes should be about forty-five degrees apart from each other in opposite directions.

The last thing you want is to trip over when escaping the zone of a falling tree.

Step 8: Prepare your chainsaw:

Chainsaws with 18-inch bar normally have two-cycle engines which require a mixture of two-cycle oil and gas. You must make sure that your chainsaw is well lubricated.

Step 9: Inspect all the parts of your chainsaw and make sure that they are functioning properly:

Before you start the operation of cutting down a huge tree in the middle of woods, you must carefully observe all the parts of your chainsaw to find out if any repair, replacement or maintenance is needed. You must also make sure that the chain is sharp and tight.

Step 10: Start your chainsaw:

Start your chainsaw and allow it to run for a couple of minutes especially in the winter season, to allow it to warm up. You must push the oil button regularly because the chain must not get dry under heat.

Step 11: Make a directional notch:

You must chainsaw upwards about halfway. You must hold it completely horizontal, then you must make a cut from the side in about one-third of the diameter of the tree. Then, go up about three to four inches above that cut: pick an imaginary line that will start just above your first cut, and maintain forty-five degrees all the way down, (an angle cut) to where the horizontal cut stopped.

You must not move your chainsaw any further. This is how you create your wedge piece, which needs to be removed.

For very large trees, the process is quite similar but because the diameter of the tree trunk is larger than the length of your chainsaw bar, a plunge cut will be required. It means that you must cut the directional notch from both sides of the tree trunk. If the bar of your chainsaw gets stuck in the tree trunk, instead of trying to pull it out, you need to stop its engine and use a wedge to work open the tree trunk until you are able to pull it out easily.

You may also have to hammer the wedge into place in order to get the tree to start falling.

Step 12: Guide your tree when it falls:

You can assist the tree in falling along your desired zone by roping it and tying it securely with at least a half an inch rope tied two-third of the way up the trunk of the tree. You must hook that rope to a come-along hand-winch that is tied to an even larger tree. But you must keep in your mind that the larger tree should be far enough that your tree will not fall into it.

When you start cutting down the tree, ask your friend or assistant to start cranking the come-along to maintain pressure toward your targeted zone. You can use 2 wedges, alternatively. Once your chainsaw blade is well into that cut (far enough along so the wedges will not hit the bar of the chainsaw) you must begin to drive them in equally behind the chainsaw blade.

You must keep your eyes glued to the tree as it is being cut. If it leans one way more than the other and that takes it off the path, you must pound the wedge on that side in a bit more. You must try to keep the wedges even so the tree falls evenly.

Final remarks

To sum up this blog post, I would say that you must never stand directly behind the falling tree. As it might break loose from its trunk and “kickback”, causing extreme damage to your property or even death to the cutters.

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  1. Eddie White says:

    I wonder if there are any courses or certifications available for tree cutting with a chainsaw?

    • Allard Vdhooft says:

      Eddie White, consider taking a chainsaw safety course for proper training. It’s important to have the right skills and knowledge before cutting down a tree. Stay safe!

  2. Wendy Coleman says:

    Great information on how to safely and efficiently cut down a tree, thank you for sharing.

    • Allard Vdhooft says:

      Thank you for your kind words, Wendy! I’m glad you found the information helpful. Stay safe and always remember to prioritize safety when cutting down trees.

  3. Dora Campbell says:

    This post was very detailed and informative, I feel more confident now about using a chainsaw to cut down trees.

    • Allard Vdhooft says:

      Thank you, Dora! I’m glad you found the post helpful. Always prioritize safety and be cautious when using a chainsaw to cut down trees. Happy sawing!

  4. Marian Kuhn says:

    I had no idea that there was so much involved in cutting down a tree, thank you for breaking it down step by step.

    • Allard Vdhooft says:

      Thank you for reading! Cutting down a tree is a complicated process, but safety is key. Remember, always take the necessary precautions and follow the steps carefully. Stay safe!

  5. Phillip Barnes says:

    What if I don’t have a trusted assistant to help me when cutting down a tree?

    • Allard Vdhooft says:

      Always prioritize safety when cutting down a tree. If you don’t have an assistant, make sure the area is clear and you have two escape routes planned before starting. Safety first!

  6. Margie Holt says:

    Can you provide more information on how to estimate the height of a tree before cutting it down?

    • Allard Vdhooft says:

      Estimating tree height before cutting involves using the “axe handle trick” method for direction. Ensure proper safety precautions and follow steps accurately to safely fell the tree.

  7. Sophia Holt says:

    Thank you for sharing these steps in such detail, it makes it easier for beginners to understand.

    • Allard Vdhooft says:

      Thank you for your kind words, Sophia. I’m glad you found the steps helpful for beginners like you. Happy tree-felling!

  8. Jon Jacobs says:

    Do you have any recommendations for a good quality chainsaw that is beginner-friendly?

    • Allard Vdhooft says:

      Hi Jon, I recommend the Husqvarna 120 Mark II as a beginner-friendly chainsaw option. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and perfect for tree felling. Hope this helps!

  9. Amber Flores says:

    Is it really necessary to have all that personal protection equipment just to cut down a tree?

    • Allard Vdhooft says:

      Thank you for your comment, Amber. Personal protection equipment is crucial for safety when cutting down a tree with a chainsaw. It may seem like a lot, but it’s necessary to prevent injuries.

  10. Mason Adams says:

    This was so informative, I had no idea there were so many steps involved in cutting down a tree safely.

    • Allard Vdhooft says:

      Thank you, Mason! Safety is always a top priority when cutting down a tree with a chainsaw. I’m glad you found the information informative. Stay safe!

  11. Ivan Fisher says:

    I found this article very helpful and easy to follow, thank you for sharing your knowledge on tree cutting.

    • Allard Vdhooft says:

      Thank you for your kind words, Ivan! I’m glad you found the article helpful. Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions about tree cutting.

  12. Eleanor Grant says:

    What should I do if the tree starts to fall in a direction I didn’t plan for?

    • Allard Vdhooft says:

      “Ensure the tree falls in the desired direction by making a directional notch and using wedges. Always have clear escape routes in place.”

  13. Terri Anderson says:

    I never realized how much preparation goes into cutting down a tree, thank you for outlining all the steps.

    • Allard Vdhooft says:

      Thank you, Terri! It’s definitely a process that requires careful planning and safety measures. I’m glad you found the information helpful.

  14. Kevin Hoffman says:

    Thank you for sharing these tips and tricks, it’s great to have a guide to refer to when cutting down trees.

    • Allard Vdhooft says:

      Thank you, Kevin! I’m glad you found the tips helpful. Stay safe and remember to prioritize safety first when cutting down trees with a chainsaw.

  15. Thomas Thomas says:

    I wish there were more tips on how to maintain the chainsaw after cutting down the tree.

    • Allard Vdhooft says:

      “Thank you for your feedback, Thomas. I will consider adding more tips on chainsaw maintenance in future blog posts.”

  16. Ricky Mckinney says:

    The video demonstrations really helped me visualize the process, thank you for including those.

    • Allard Vdhooft says:

      Thank you for the feedback, Ricky! I’m glad the video demonstrations were helpful for you. Stay safe and happy tree cutting!

  17. Krin Griffin says:

    Are there any specific laws about cutting down trees that we should know about?

    • Allard Vdhooft says:

      Always check local laws before cutting down a tree. Obtain permission if necessary, and prioritize safety. Remember, the goal is to remove the tree safely and responsibly.

  18. Joyce Pierce says:

    Are there any specific types of trees that are easier or harder to cut down with a chainsaw?

    • Allard Vdhooft says:

      Thank you for your question, Joyce. Softwoods like pine are easier to cut down with a chainsaw compared to hardwoods like oak due to their density. Remember safety measures before cutting any tree.

  19. Phillip Hunter says:

    I appreciate the emphasis on safety throughout the article, it’s so important when working with chainsaws.

    • Allard Vdhooft says:

      Thank you, Phillip! Safety is our top priority when working with chainsaws. I’m glad you found the emphasis on safety in the article helpful. Stay safe out there!

  20. Scarlett Marshall says:

    I appreciated the tip about clearing out escape routes, safety is so important.

    • Allard Vdhooft says:

      Thank you, Scarlett! Safety is always a top priority when working with chainsaws. Glad you found the tip helpful. Stay safe while felling trees!

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