Cutting or felling trees on the ground could be very easy if you know the proper steps to follow.
Chainsaws are the easiest tools to deal with the cutting, pruning, and felling of trees. Are you planning on cutting down a tree in your backyard? Well, you’re just at the right place for the directions.
If you aren’t a professional, you must be careful while cutting down huge trees on the ground with your chainsaw. There could be a risk of several injuries if you’re being careless, or you don’t exactly know how to handle a felling tree or your chainsaw.
Also, before you start with the actual cutting process, make sure you measure the diameter of the tree to be cut. The diameter must be less than the length of your chainsaw bar and chain. There could be different types of chainsaws with different bar lengths but your chainsaw under use must have a bar length greater than the tree’s diameter.
let’s learn about the tools you’ll require for the process and the steps you need to follow.
Equipment You’ll Need
Always remember, safety comes first. No matter how small of a task you’d be doing or how professional you are, always wear the chainsaw duty equipment and have the tools to be used by your side.
- First of all, a helmet is very important in order to keep yourself protected in case of a sudden incident that might happen while you’re cutting the tree.
- Secondly, protective earmuffs are the protectors for your ears. Because chainsaws may make a lot of noise, which isn’t only disturbing but is also a great threat to your hearing abilities.
- Always wear gloves to protect your hands against rough surfaces of wood, or the chainsaw itself. If the chainsaw vibrates a lot and has a strong kickback, you might hurt yourself while using the chainsaw. So, wearing gloves is important too.
- Chainsaw chaps are very essential for chainsaw users. They provide great safety and protection while operating the saw.
5 Easy Steps of Cutting a Tree Using Chainsaw
Coming towards our main concern, here are the steps described to cut up a tree on the ground using a chainsaw.
- Identifying the Area Where the Tree Will be Cut Down
- Clearing Out the Felling Area of Any Hurdles
- Performing a tree analysis
- Creating the Perfect Notch
- The Limbing and Bucking Process
STEP 1: Identifying the Area Where the Tree Will be Cut Down
The very first step before you even start cutting the tree is to identify the area where the tree will fall. This is very important as there should be enough space for the tree to fall easily. In other words, it’s identifying in what direction you want the tree to fall. Estimate the area nicely and then proceed with your work.
A simple way to do this is by having an axe in your hand and moving backward while keeping an eye on the treetop. Stop where you think that the axe tip is now equal to the treetop and the axe bottom is equal to the tree base. This would be the minimum area where the tree would fall.
STEP 2: Clearing Out the Felling Area of Any Hurdles
Next is to clear out all the hurdles that come in the way of your identified tree-cutting area. There could be bushes, tree trunks, etc. which might create a hurdle in your way. So, to avoid any risks, spend some time cleaning and clearing the felling area and you must clear both directions opposing the tree felling area.
STEP 3: Performing a Tree Analysis
Carefully analyze the tree and the area around it. Do not just start cutting. Make sure there aren’t any dead or broken branches attached to the tree trunk as they might create problems later in the cutting process.
One possibility could be the tree falling in the direction where it has heavy branches rather than the direction you want it to fall into. If this is so, the tree would lean in the direction of weight despite your opposite efforts.
So, be sure of what direction you want the tree to fall into and cut off any heavy branches attached. Also, always mark the point from where you’d start cutting the tree.
STEP 4: Creating the Perfect Notch
It is recommended to cut a notch one-fifth the diameter of the tree trunk when felling a tree. The point of the notch should be met by the felling cut. In this way, the hinge assists the tree in falling in the desired direction when it starts to fall.
A proper notch will be defined by your first cut. Therefore, according to a rule, your notch should be one-fifth of the total tree diameter. Here are the cuts you need to make.
- The first notch cut should be made at a 60-degree angle from the top.
- The second cut should be made at a 30-degree angle from the bottom side of the notch. To get the wedges out, keep cutting the bottom until it reaches the other end.
- The third cut which would be the final cut in most cases should be started opposite from the notch. It’s called the felling cut. keeping a 180-degree angle, keep cutting all the way to the notch horizontally.
STEP 5: The Limbing and Bucking Process
Now when the tree has finally fallen on the ground, carry on with the limbing and bucking process. Limbing means cutting down any remaining branches with the tree log. Start from the bottom and continue towards the top.
After climbing, it’s time for bucking. Cut the large tree log into smaller logs so that it’s converted into usable firewood form. For this, cut the tree log at specific intervals.
How to Cut Up Large Tree on The Ground – FAQs
Conclusion
These were a few simple and easy steps to cut a large tree on the ground using a chainsaw. Remember, you can do it on your own but if the trees are way too large, or are near a structure, or any tree that you feel hesitant or uncomfortable tackling, do not take a risk. Instead, call a professional.
Although you can cut up even a large tree using a chainsaw all by yourself, still, if you have doubts, do not start it by yourself. You might end up creating a huge mess!
