The process of cutting down a tree is often referred to as “falling” a tree, but the correct term is actually “cutting down”. Logging is the process of cutting down trees, and the person who does the cutting is known as a feller. A feller buncher is a machine that can cut down one large tree or several small ones at once. The process of cutting a tree into usable lengths is called cutting, and bulging often occurs when the branches of the crown are used as firewood.
When cutting firewood, it's important to know the length of wood needed before leaving home. When cutting full-size products, such as sawing logs and sheet metal logs, you need to cut logs longer than the final product to leave a trimming allowance. For an 8-foot log, a trimming margin of 4 to 6 inches is common. Many cutting cuts are inclined, and the trimming allowance allows the ends of the boards to be cut squarely on the cutter to the desired board lengths. Before you cut down a tree, it's important to analyze both the tree and its surrounding area. Is the tree close to your house or other structure? Are there utility lines nearby? Is the tree dead or sick? Does it have broken or dead branches? Does it lean in the opposite direction to the one you want it to fall? Is it surrounded by other trees? If any of these questions are answered with yes, it's best to call a professional.
It's also important to look at the height of the tree and measure the yard to make sure there's enough room for it to hit the ground safely. Ideally, the landing site should be reasonably level to prevent the tree from rolling or bouncing. You also want a fall path that is free of other trees; a falling tree can knock down several others on its way down, with potentially catastrophic results. To point to the tree's fall path, use a directional notch. As the surface of the branches catches the wind, there is enormous leverage from the top of the tree. The moment you feel the tree begin to fall forward, just after you've gone through everything but 10 percent of its diameter, pull out your chainsaw, set its chain brake, and back away from it until you're at least 15 feet away.
Many loggers in Alaska prefer logging in March and April, as trees are clean when they slide on snow. If a tree has lodged or embedded itself in adjacent trees and has not fallen to the ground, do not walk under it. When cutting firewood, start at the top of the tree so that some of its branches are off the ground. Escape routes should be at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to each other, at least 15 feet long, and point directly from the falling tree. Inexperienced tree cutters should never attempt to cut down trees that are rotten or rotten inside or that are tilted or under tension. An efficient way to do this would be to use felling heads that would increase efficiency and fall time.
The back cut or felling cut is made on the opposite side of the tree from its lower cut and cuts through its base, cutting its “hinge” that holds it upwards. If you suspect that logging will affect a power line when removing a tree, call your local power company. It's usually easier to cut down a tree in its direction of inclination unless it's tilted towards a house or other structure. If you're not comfortable operating a chainsaw for even stump removal, call someone who is. Before attempting any kind of logging task, make sure you know what you're doing and take all necessary safety precautions. A strong verb is one whose past tense is formed by changing its vowel value; this process is called ablaut.
Even if you're experienced in cutting trees or stumps, always remember that safety comes first.
