How to Safely Carry Out Tree Felling

Tree Felling is a complex, time-consuming and highly dangerous operation that should only be undertaken by those with the required level of experience and training. It can cause significant damage to property and serious injury or death to the feller and/or bystanders if not carried out correctly. The vast majority of injuries and incidents during Tree Felling operations can be prevented by following the correct standards and procedures for inspection of the tree, site and work positioning.

Before starting to cut a tree, it is essential to thoroughly inspect the condition of the timber you are about to fell, checking for signs of structural defects such as cracks or rot (see Fig.1). Also, make sure the area you are working in is clear of any obstructions such as houses, vehicles or other trees. You should also assess the prevailing weather conditions as gusty winds may force the tree to fall in an un-expected direction, increasing the risk of damage or injury.

Once you have assessed the prevailing conditions, it is important to establish the best position for the felling of the tree. This will be dependent on the size of the tree, whether it is close to a house or not and the surrounding landscape. It is also important to consider the lean of the tree as this will determine the best way to fell it. You should ensure the area you are felling is free from any obstructions such as buildings, other trees or rocks that could be hit by the falling tree.

The first step in the felling process is to make a notch in the trunk of the tree on the side toward which it will be falling. The notch should be made just above any swelling on the stump and is usually no more than 20 to 30 percent of the way through the trunk.

This is a vitally important part of the felling process as it positions the static load of the tree such that the back cut and the remaining hinge of the notch can reliably control the direction of the fall. A mis-placed notch or poor back cut will compromise this process and lead to the tree failing to fall in the desired direction.

Once the notch has been established, the next step is to create what is known as a face cut – this is done by cutting flat in to the trunk of the tree on the side toward where you want it to fall. The final cut is usually made just above any swelling at the base of the stump.

This is an important stage of the process as it helps to reduce the amount of wood that will be lost during the felling process. In addition, this cut will help to break up any remaining stumps and reduce the amount of debris that will need to be cleared up once the tree has fallen. It is important that the notch and face cuts are both made with care, taking into account the prevailing weather conditions.

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