How to Safely Perform Tree Felling

Tree felling is the controlled process of cutting down a single tree. It is distinct from chopping up a fallen tree into logs or pruning a single branch or limb. Felling trees is necessary to maintain forest health, protect property and wildlife, and improve the aesthetics of the landscape. It is important that all felling work be done in a safe manner. There are many videos on YouTube showing serious injuries or even death due to improper felling techniques.

A common mistake in tree felling is misjudging the direction the tree is going to fall and hitting something with the back cut or attempting to control the direction of the fall by swaying it. This can be extremely dangerous and is often the cause of serious injury to forestry workers.

Before beginning any felling work a forestry worker should scan the area for major obstacles such as overhead lines, roads and buildings. Also look for small rocks, shrubs or debris that could become projectiles. Also make sure the intended path of fall is free from obstructions such as other trees, limbs hanging over the target, or roots near a river or cliff edge. It is a good idea to mark the area where the fall will happen with flags or brightly coloured markers that can be seen from a distance.

It is crucial to determine the height of the target tree. This can be done in several ways, including using cell phone apps or tools such as a clinometer. However, the simplest way to measure a tree’s height is by using your thumb. Hold your arm outstretched at eye level, with the thumb pointed up toward the target tree. Walk backward or forward to find the point where the bottom of your thumb hits the base of the tree. This is the approximate height of the tree.

Another important step is assessing the lean of the target tree. A tree that is leaning significantly can be difficult to fell and may be prone to catching fire or becoming lodged in other trees. If a tree is lodged in other trees it can be very dangerous to work in its vicinity as limbs could break off and fly in all directions, striking workers or bystanders.

Once the lean and escape path have been determined, it is time to start the cutting process. To do this the forestry worker must create a notch in the targeted tree. This is a very critical part of the felling process because it positions the static load of the tree to prevent it from becoming a hazard by pushing against structures or falling into people. The notch should be located at the spot where a desired felling path will be cut into the target. The notch should be made using a cut that is approximately two-thirds of the width of the targeted path. This will provide a hinge that allows the sawyer to control the direction of the target tree’s final fall.

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