Felling is the act of cutting down a tree deliberately, as opposed to letting it fall due to weather conditions or other natural factors. It’s also distinct from chopping up a felled tree into logs and from pruning, which involves removing branches or limbs from an existing tree to control its growth.
While felling is an important tool in the timber industry, we recognise it can have significant implications for people and wildlife, especially in populated areas. That’s why we encourage you to consider alternative methods of managing your trees, such as pollarding or thinning.
If you do need to fell a tree, we recommend finding a quality assured tree surgeon with liability insurance before proceeding. They will be able to help you resolve the problem with your tree while minimising the impact on the surrounding landscape, habitats and wildlife.
Before you start felling, examine the tree to see where it will land. This is particularly important if you’re working on a steep slope.
Note the ground condition and moisture, as well as any interlocked or dead limbs that may fall into your work area. You should also make sure that your escape route is clear and unobstructed. Once you’ve determined the direction of the fall, it’s time to prepare your work site and establish a safe working environment.
Begin by putting up warning signs and clearing the area around the base of the tree, ensuring it’s free of any obstructions or hazards. Then, mark the area where you’re going to create your felling cut. Make sure you’re far enough away from the base of the tree to avoid a kick back or butt swing and keep a clear escape route.
Next, mark the location of your notch cut and cut a v-shaped notch in the side of the tree facing the direction of fall (Figure 2). You can choose between a standard or reverse undercut and both are effective. However, a reverse undercut is more efficient as it allows you to saw closer to the root ball.
Ensure you saw the entire length of the notch and remove any branches or twigs that could get in your way when you’re sawing the felling cut. Make the felling cut at a point about 5 cm above the top of the notch cut.
When you’re ready, saw through the wedges until the tree starts to fall, and follow through with your escape route. Be sure to continue monitoring the felling for any unforeseen problems, as these can often happen quickly and unexpectedly.
Unless you’re felling your own private garden trees, you’ll need a licence to fell any tree in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. This will be granted subject to a number of conditions, including restocking and maintaining the woodland after felling. If you’re not sure whether you need a felling licence or not, it’s best to consult your local forest officer.
source https://treeaestheticswa.wordpress.com/2024/07/27/how-to-prepare-your-work-site-for-tree-felling/
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