Cutting trees with a chainsaw is easy- no one ever said! Just hold a chainsaw and cut it! But, of course, it is not this easy!
Before we dive into the topic, if you don’t have a chainsaw yet, check
out the following Chainsaw buying guide from ToolsBros:
https://toolsbros.com/best-chainsaw/
Working with a blade has never been easy. You can harm other trees, the whole forest, and even yourself!
So, before you use it, you must get an idea about cutting trees with a chainsaw! Today, we have come up with a straightforward method that will help you cut the trees faster and better!
Check it out and save your time and energy!
Step by Step Cutting Trees with a Chainsaw
Get a Partner
Your first job when you work in a forest is to find a partner. No, you cannot work alone there. It is not safe. If anything happens to you, there will be no one to save you.
Always remember that cutting trees is not an easy job to do. Keep a person and also your mobile phone with you in case of accidents.
Cutting Direction
The next thing you need to do is to set the direction of the fall of the tree. If you do not set a direction, the tree will fall in any place! You don’t want to hurt the other trees and not yourself, right?
So, you have to select a direction in which the tree will fall. There are specific issues to keep in mind when setting the direction of the fall.
The first thing is the wind. You have to check the direction of the wind. And then, you have to check if the tree you are cutting is leaning or not.
After this, you have to go through the trees’ branches and know if the branches are hanging in a specific direction.
It is easiest to go in the direction that nature suggests. If the tree is leaning and can be safely cut to fall that way, go with it.
It might happen for the wind’s direction, or it can also happen for the tree’s growth. For the wind or the slope, the tree will surely be a bit heavier on one side.
After this, look for a rock, log, or a stump. This can be beneficial for you to fell a tree across these. With this, you will get a perfect working height if you want to go for limbing or cross-cutting.
Keep in mind that if you’re going to fell the tree in a different direction than the natural growth, you have to settle for the extra effort. Think again, are you ready for that?
Cutting the Lower Branches
Now, you have to start the cutting process. First of all, go through the lower branches. One by one cut them down carefully.
Make sure you are keeping the trunk of the tree between you and the chainsaw. Certify that you are not a barrier between the ground and the branches. While cutting, check the length. Do not cut over the shoulder height for your safety.
Felling the Tree
When you are felling the tree in the right direction, you have to keep some specifics in mind.You can settle for Directional Felling. This is a professionally approved method.
For this, first of all, you have to cut a hinge right inside the trunk of the tree. As a result, this hinge will help the tree to steer when it gradually comes down!
Cut the Hinge
Now, you have to cut the hinge. Go for a wedge-shaped piece out of the tree trunk. Go for the direction you want to let the tree fall.
This hinge will control the whole tree. After the Directional Cut, you have to move to the Felling Cut. In this process, you have to settle for a horizontal cut. This cut should be done from the opposite direction of the previous cut.
Here, keep in mind that you don’t need to cut the whole stem. In between, you have to keep more or less 3-4 cm. The hinge itself will control the tree and help it fall.
Directional Cut
Before you take the tree to a chainsaw mill, you have to cut it properly.
Preparations for Directional Cut
And for this, you have to go for a directional cut now. Don’t forget to keep your feet apart. Set them behind the tree.
Now, you have to lean on the trunk. No, not with your body, you have to lean your left shoulder on the tree’s trunk. This will help you to be steady. You have to cut along the top part of the front handle.
Go through the felling direction in this case. As a result, you will get the perfect direction for your directional cut. Keep the angle right.
Top Directional Cut
Before everything, you have to make sure you have kept the grip firm. Go to the top directional cut. Hold the front handle. Use the left thumb here and keep it firm.
You must apply full throttle. Gradually, take the saw downwards. Keep an angle of 60 degrees. Make sure you have measured the diameter of the trunk.
While doing a directional cut, you have to ensure that the depth is about ¼ to 1/5 of the previous measurement. Start from the highest position you can. It gives you enough space to work with.
Bottom Directional Cut
After the top directional cut, you have to do the bottom one. So, you have to use your left thumb. Hold the front handle with this and go for full throttle.
Then, take the saw upwards. Keep the 30 degrees and go for it. When you are already close to the top cut, stop the saw. Make the meeting point precise. After you are done, you will get a 90-degree-opening directional cut!
Felling Cut
Go through the tip of the previous directional cut first. The cut you are going to place now should be level with the previous one’s tip. Settle for 1¼ inch hinge with a 3 cm thickness.
Now that you are done with it, you can start for the felling cut. You have to settle for the back and do it in the felling direction. But to do it, you must check if the trunk’s diameter is smaller than the length of the bar.
If otherwise, you have to change the position of the saw. Please take it to the side of the trunk. Slowly, you have to take it backward during the cutting period.
After you have done it, you have to use your left thumb again around the handle. Keep the feet apart and firm. Go for full throttle.
So, you are near to half of the felling cut. When you are halfway, you have to deal with some other business.
Switch off the saw first. Take a wedge and drive it inside the cut. You can use a pry bar here too. As a result, the tree will not fall backward. Also, it won’t trap the saw. Now you can complete your felling cut without any complication!
Note: If you are a newbie, you must be very careful while cutting trees because it is not easy.
Start working with small trees so that you can handle it properly. All you need to do is take the help of someone.
Wrap Up
Trees felling backward is a common fact that can not only harm the other trees but can cause severe accidents. So, be extra cautious while cutting trees. Please go through the steps we have mentioned and re-read them to make it work.
You should take professional help if you are not confident enough.