How To Cut A Tree Down With A Chain Saw?

Michael Caine January 1, 2022January 1, 2022

Learn how to cut trees down safely and efficiently by learning how to use a chainsaw for this common task. Using the right technique while cutting will ensure you can fall your tree in no time, instead of wasting energy and making mistakes while trying to force the blade through the wood.

Step 1: Check Your Permits

Before cutting down any kind of tree, be sure that it’s not on someone else’s property or within their line of sight. It is also important to remember that if your neighbor has an easement for power lines running through his property, he may not want any trees growing there, so be courteous when discussing this project with him. If you’re not sure where the property line is, you can use a metal detector or probe to find it. If this sounds like too much trouble, you can hire a private contractor for this task though it will be more expensive than doing it yourself.

Step 2: Prepare Your Chainsaw

Next step is selecting and preparing chainsaw which is suitable for you. There are different types of chainsaws for different purposes. If you are leftie, then there also many left handed chainsaws available in the market. Whether your chainsaw is gas-powered or electric, follow the instructions in your manual about how to restart it after removing any attachments. Be sure that the oil reservoir is filled with fresh oil before using and that all of the guards are attached securely so they don’t get in your way when cutting through tree limbs. A guard is necessary for proper protection because when the blade begins moving at high speeds, bits of wood will become ejected from the saw towards you, so you need to deflect them to avoid injury.

Step 3: Position The Saw Properly

Choose a location where the tree will fall away from any power lines or structures when you cut it down and make sure that the area is clear of people, pets, plants, and anything else which could be damaged by falling debris. Next, make sure there’s enough space for your saw, so you don’t miss when cutting through limbs and branches through small trees can sometimes be felled over a hole dug into the ground. Next, you’ll want to find an anchor point for your chainsaw near where you intend to begin cutting and attach it securely before raising the blade above your head and letting go, so it locks into place. This will keep the chainsaw from falling out of your hands when the tree begins to fall.

Step 4: Cut Straight

Begin cutting into the tree at or below shoulder height with a firm downward stroke which is slow enough to allow the chainsaw’s teeth to bite into the wood without bogging down too much. As you get further along in your cut, stop periodically so that you can examine what you’ve done so far and judge whether or not you need to make wider cuts. Cutting towards yourself isn’t recommended because it requires more force on your part, though it may be unavoidable if starting near an edge where only one cut is possible.

Step 5: Remove The Branches

Use loppers or shears for branches less than half an inch thick and a hatchet, ax, or pruning saw for larger limbs. It’s important to get rid of all of this debris because it can slow you down when cutting through the thicker sections of a tree, so wear a dust mask and gloves while doing it.

Step 6: Continue Cutting

Once the trunk falls away from where you have been cutting, continue making cuts around the circumference of the trunk until it falls in your intended direction. Since these cuts aren’t deep enough to be binding, you should be able to fall a tree with just one cut by following these steps again at ground level on the other side and then removing any remaining branches.

FAQs:

How long does it take to cut a large tree down with a chainsaw?

It can take anywhere from three hours or more to cut down a very large tree, though the time needed is usually proportionate to its size. This is why when felling such trees, you should try to do it when no one will be in the area and use proper safety equipment such as gloves and ear protection.

What size of chainsaw is best for cutting trees down?

For heavy-duty tasks like this, make sure your chainsaw has at least an eight-horsepower motor and 16 inches between the guide bar and blade handle. If budgetary constraints don’t allow you to make this purchase quite yet, go with an electric chainsaw until then if you don’t mind sacrificing power to save money.

What is the best way to cut a tree down?

The best way to cut a tree down is by using a chainsaw because it’s quick, easy to use, and doesn’t have as much environmental impact as other methods. It may take longer than some other techniques but think about how long it will take to clean up the pieces after felling trees by hand or with a bow saw.