Felling is part of the logging process, and is interchangeable with cutting down trees. For the experienced feller (the profession describing people that cut down trees), tree felling is a walk in the park. There are even tools out there, called feller bunchers, that can either cut down a large tree or several small trees at the same time. These professionals have a lot of experience in setting up safe areas for this kind of activity. But tree felling is beyond getting out your saw and getting your upper body workout in. There is more science and strategy that goes into it. Tree felling involves cutting down a standing tree safely, and dropping it to a specific location. 

Similar to tree cutting, there are many steps and precautions that need to be considered before tackling your first tree felling project. 

Before you even get out your chainsaw and safety goggles, it is crucial that you plan ahead. Considering things like the slope of the ground the tree is on, which direction you want the tree to fall, where escape routes are if things go awry, and locations of power lines or surrounding structures are important in your planning. Having the proper forestry equipment and skillset not only makes your site safer – but also can make your post-felling work easier. 

Consider wind direction. Take a look at the shape, direction and health of the branches on the tree. Check out the natural direction that the tree would fall. Take a good, long look at your tree before you even get out your equipment, and run through your mental checklist. 

It is also helpful and creates more safety if you prune the trunk of any small twigs or branches that could obstruct the felling cut. Using your pulling chain from the top-down is a great way to do this. Once you have completely pruned any obstructive elements up to shoulder-height, you can choose your cutting technique. This decision should be impacted by the size and slope of the tree. Based on your cutting technique, you can then choose your adequate equipment. 

If you are not comfortable to any degree about the information you just read above, you should probably call in a professional and turn-in your hard hat. Here at Dynamic Arborist, safety is just as important to us as outcome and efficiency. We do things with excellence, and put our professional arborists’ safety first. We want the same for you. 

We are more than equipped to help you with your tree felling projects – whether residential or commercial – and can guarantee a job-well done, risk-free.