Tree Felling – How to Safely and Properly Fell a Tree

Tree Felling is a common practice in the timber industry and can be used for various reasons such as clearing land, making way for development or removing trees that are dead or pose a threat to structures or people. It is important that Tree Felling is done properly to prevent injury and damage, as well as avoiding environmental impacts.

In order to carry out successful and safe Tree Felling it is crucial that a plan is devised before commencing work. This includes assessing the site, surrounding area and potential hazards to determine the best way to fell the tree. This should include determining which direction the tree will fall and checking that this will not affect any major obstacles such as power lines or roads/buildings.

It is also necessary to consider the different factors that may affect the tree when it falls, such as wind speed and direction. This is because it can be dangerous for loggers if a tree is cut and fails to fall correctly, causing damage or injury. To avoid this, a directional notch is often placed in the tree, allowing it to fall into a specific direction. This notch is usually known as an undercut.

There are a few other things that should be taken into consideration when carrying out Tree Felling. These include the type of tree that is being felled and its condition. For example, rotten and weakened trees that are likely to break apart during the felling process should be avoided as they can cause serious injuries and damages to saw operators and bystanders. In addition, it is a good idea to check that a fallen tree can not become lodged in or snag in adjacent trees and branches. A lodged tree can be extremely dangerous and has been known to kill even experienced loggers.

The forestry industry relies heavily on tree felling for a variety of reasons including the production of timber, as well as creating and managing wildlife habitat and enhancing forest ecology. In addition, Tree Felling is an essential component of land clearance for agricultural purposes, construction and urbanization. It is important that all forestry workers receive adequate training to understand the techniques of tree felling and the proper use of equipment. It is also a good idea to keep a record of any on-the-job deviations from planned processes.

Lastly, it is important to note that it is an offense to fell trees without a license in the UK unless one of the exemptions applies. It is therefore essential for all forestry professionals to ensure that they have a licence before performing any felling operations. This can be obtained through the Forestry Commission, and it is a requirement that anyone who has any involvement with the felling of trees in the UK has a licence. This includes contractors, landowners and timber merchants. This is to ensure that everyone involved in the felling of trees is aware of the risks and has the required skills to carry out this work safely.

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