How Tree Felling Is Done

Tree Felling is the process of cutting down a living tree for a number of reasons. These may include a need to clear an area, the development of new buildings or simply because the tree has become too large and is damaging property. Whatever the reason, felling is always a last resort and should be considered as a very serious matter. There are often other ways of managing a problem tree, including pollarding or pruning to remove dangerous hanging branches or to reduce the weight or impact of the tree.

Before commencing any felling work, the sawyer should perform a JHA with the crew and discuss their roles and responsibilities on the job site. It is important that everyone understands the hazards that could occur on the site and what needs to be done to mitigate them. This includes completing a risk assessment of the hazard involved in the felling operation, including the use of a saw and what precautions should be taken to avoid injury.

Next, the sawyer must assess the tree to determine if it is safe for felling. This includes examining the base for damage, pockets of rotten wood or any other structural weakness. Also assessing the height of the tree and determining whether it will fit into the drop zone, which is the area where the tree will fall once the felling cuts are complete. The sawyer should also determine the direction of the lean of the tree and plan and prepare a safe escape route if necessary.

Once the hazard assessment and escape routes are in place, the sawyer should start the felling cuts. During this process, it is vital that the sawyer maintains a high level of situational awareness, constantly looking up into the canopy for potential falling hazards. This is particularly important because hung-up debris (also known as widowmakers) can continue to fall for several minutes after the cut has been made and can seriously injure or kill saw operators.

An undercut is then made on the side of the tree in the direction it is to fall. This can be a standard undercut or a reverse undercut, depending on the type of felling being undertaken. The angled cut helps to guide the tree as it falls and also provides more friction against the ground to prevent it from slipping out of control.

Lastly, the back cut is made on the side of the tree opposite the notch to help guide the tree into its final fall. This is a critical step and the sawyer should consider the type of back cut to be used in conjunction with the angle of the undercut.

It is important to note that a tree falling for any reason must not be cut down within 10 feet of any power lines. If a tree has any potential to come into contact with a power line, call the local power company and have them attend the job site and safely disconnect the power.

source https://axetreeservices.wordpress.com/2025/04/01/how-tree-felling-is-done/