How to Cut Down a Tree

How to Fell a Tree : DIY techniques for felling a leaning or upright tree. From the cutting angle to practical advice for doing everything in complete safety.

Today we will see how to cut down a tree with the help of a chainsaw  or without a chainsaw .

Chainsaws and cutting tools are considered “dangerous” and must be used with caution; for the use of the chainsaw, we refer you to the guide article “ how to use a chainsaw ”. The guide provides you with useful information to use the chainsaw in complete safety.

Remember to wear gloves, pants and a cut-resistant jacket appropriate for the tool you have. For all the information on clothing to wear and extra tips, the guide entitled ” how to cut down a tree ” is available. On this page we will see how to handle non-routine situations such as cutting down a tree .

Cutting down a tree

Before  cutting down a tree  and proceeding with felling , observe the plant, in particular evaluate the height of the tree to be felled, its diameter and the leaf mass.

Another factor to evaluate is the slope of the ground and the possible inclination of the trunk.

Also look at the air surrounding the tree, are there other plants nearby? How far is the nearest house? These aspects must be evaluated in order to choose the  direction of  the tree’s fall.

You can proceed with the DIY only if you feel confident and if there are no structures that you can damage with an incorrect felling. If you are unsure, it is better to postpone the felling and ask for help from expert personnel.

Another fundamental rule: if you want  to cut down a tree  that is more than three or four meters tall and has a trunk diameter of more than 20 cm, DO NOT act alone! You must not have too much confidence in your abilities, you never know what can go wrong in the cutting notch and during the felling phase!

How to Cut Down a Tree

A tree can have great aesthetic value but also cause discomfort. The roots of a tree can damage the soil or threaten the stability of an entire building. The crown of a tree can create shaded areas or obstruct the view of a beautiful landscape. In these situations it may be necessary to proceed with the felling of a tree ; but how do you proceed with the felling of a tree  and above all, is it necessary to request permits even if the tree is on private property? The answer is yes.

For the part concerning the felling permit, we refer you to the page dedicated to the bureaucratic procedure to be completed:  permits to fell a tree .

Felling a tree, preliminaries

First of all, remove low branches and suckers that may hinder the  actual cutting  operations.

Clean the base of the tree so you can work with greater agility and freedom of movement.

To  cut down a tree  you will need to make three cuts and for this it is advisable to use a chainsaw.

• The first cut is made downstream from the fall line, on the side where the tree will fall to the ground. This is the  cutting notch .
• The second cut is made two or three cm higher than the first, on the opposite side.
• The third cut will serve to connect the two previous cuts. The third cut must stop two or three centimeters before meeting the notch.
• At this point, with a light push, the tree falls.
• When the tree begins to lean you will need to move away in the opposite direction.

How to Fell a Tree:  The Notch or Cutting Angle

Before proceeding with the felling of a tree , a notch, also called a directional cut , must be made at the base of the trunk.

The directional cut must be made on the side where you want the tree to “ fall” . The notch must be one fifth (1/5) deep of the trunk diameter and with an opening angle of approximately 45°. Only after having made the directional cut will it be possible to proceed with the felling cut .

When a tree is leaning, it is not possible to use a “direction cut” given by a 45° notch. With a leaning tree, it will be necessary to use ropes and adequate tools to avoid damage to nearby things and people.