Cutting down a tree is a task that requires planning, concentration, and caution. It is important to understand the process of felling a tree and the safety measures that should be taken to ensure the safety of those involved. A feller is the person who cuts down trees, and a feller buncher is a machine capable of cutting down a single large tree or grouping and cutting several small ones simultaneously. In manual felling, an ax, saw or chainsaw is used to cut down a tree, followed by brushcutter and cutting in traditional applications.
In the modern commercial timber industry, logging is often followed by delimbing and trawling. Before beginning the process of cutting down a tree, it is important to observe the position of nearby trees. Make sure that the tree you are cutting down can fall to the ground without getting lodged on other trees. A lodged tree is very dangerous and experienced loggers often die from felled trees hanging or snagging on adjacent trees.
The first step in cutting down a tree is to make a directional notch. This forms a weak point in the lower part of the trunk that determines which direction the tree will fall when the final cut (the felling cut) is made. Cut the tree to the same height as your notch, cutting deep enough to insert the felling wedges. When it comes time to make the final cut, it is usually easier to cut down the tree in the direction of inclination, unless it is tilted towards a house or other structure.
The moment you feel the tree starting to fall forward, when you've cut everything but 10 percent of the tree's diameter, pull out the chainsaw, put the chain brake on and back down one of your escape routes until you're at least 15 feet away from the falling tree. If there are power lines near the tree, do not attempt to cut down the tree unless you are absolutely sure that doing so will not interfere with them. Instead of risking possible serious injury when attempting to cut down an inclined tree, consult a professional arborist. When harvesting wood from a felled tree, recommended methods should be followed to maximize wood recovery. In general, a 16- to 18-inch bar is best for small to medium-sized trees, and a 20- to 24-inch bar for larger trees or for cutting a large tree already cut down for firewood.
An efficient way to do this would be to use felling heads that would increase efficiency and fall time. Even if the tree you are cutting down is not exceptionally large, for example, if you are cutting down a Christmas tree, do not risk using old safety equipment. Whether you're blocking your view, you're sick or damaged, or you're taking up space you'd rather use for something else, cutting down a tree is never a task to be taken lightly. If you're cutting down a tree with a trunk 18 inches or more in diameter, you'll also want a pair of felling wedges. Presented by Scandinavian logging specialists, this cut is easier to make, provides good guidance and has additional safety features. The error which will not be marked by most spelling checkers can be aggravated by the fact that non-native speakers may not be aware of the verb “fall”. When it comes to using “fall” in English in its causative form in both present and past tenses, quite often it is not used as far as I know. In conclusion, cutting down trees requires planning and caution.
It is important to understand all safety measures before attempting this task and if there are power lines near the tree or if it is tilted towards any structure then it is best to consult an arborist.
