The Basics of Tree Felling

Tree Felling is a key service provided by tree care professionals and necessary for maintaining the safety, health, and aesthetics of your property. However, the decision to fell a tree is not made lightly as it has significant environmental and economic impacts. When properly executed, it can be a necessary solution for many issues such as disease, structural damage, and obstructive growth. It can also be a tool for landscape management and as part of the process of creating woodland habitats.

Before starting any work, the tree sawyer should assess the area to determine whether it is safe to begin cutting. This includes the identification of any potential hazards such as electrical lines, structural damage, or hazardous debris that could fall from the fallen tree. It is also important to make sure that there are no people or valued targets within the path of the fall. In addition, if the tree is to be felled on a slope, a detailed plan should be created to ensure that the slope is safe for both felling and landing.

Once the assessment has been completed, it is time to start making the initial cuts in the tree. The first cut, known as a face cut, is made on the side of the tree facing in the direction in which it should fall. A back cut is then made on the opposite side to create a hinge and control the fall of the tree.

A notch is then added on the top of the tree using a directional notch to further control the felling direction. A final cut is then made on the opposite side of the tree to complete the hinge and fell it in the desired direction.

While the steps involved in tree felling are relatively simple, the procedure is extremely dangerous and requires the use of specialized equipment like chainsaws. It is therefore crucial to always hire a professional for the job. They will have the training and experience to safely perform the work, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries. In addition, the tree sawyer should always wear protective gear such as hard hats, eye and ear protection, and chainsaw-resistant gloves.

It is also recommended to avoid rotten or dead trees and those with loose tops or branches as they are more likely to come apart or fall during the felling process. These trees are often referred to as “widow makers” because they can fall on the sawyer and cause serious injury or death.

The most common reason for tree felling is due to disease. If a tree has become infected with a disease that is spread by the roots, it may need to be removed to prevent the disease from spreading to surrounding healthy trees. Structural damage can also require a tree to be removed, particularly if it is leaning or at risk of collapsing. It is also possible that a tree will need to be removed as part of land development, such as for a new building or driveway.

source https://treeaestheticswa.wordpress.com/2025/06/29/the-basics-of-tree-felling-2/