Safety Precautions for Tree Felling

Whether you need to clear out space for an outdoor living area or simply want to improve your home’s look, tree felling is an essential part of any landscape project. However, before you start ripping down trees, be sure to take all of the necessary safety precautions.

Felling a tree safely isn’t a DIY job; it requires training, a permit, and specialized equipment. It also requires experienced forestry professionals who are familiar with all the latest OSHA standards and have commercial liability insurance.

First, check the tree for obstacles that could interfere with a safe fall. For example, power lines should be avoided during the process, and if there are any other buildings or fences nearby, they may need to be removed in order for the tree to fall.

Next, inspect the tree for loose or dead limbs. These can be dangerous because they can fall onto the tree cutter or bystanders, potentially injuring them. If you cannot remove the limbs, consider felling the tree from an angle that will not allow them to strike anyone.

Once you’ve inspected the tree, it’s time to plan the felling. Decide which direction you want the tree to fall and clear away any tripping hazards along that path. This means removing people, pets, objects, brush, and anything else that could interfere with the tree’s path of fall.

Make the first cut on the side of the tree in the direction that you want it to fall. This cut will create a hinge that you can use to control the speed and direction of the tree’s fall. It’s important to make a notch that is deep enough but not too deep. A deeper notch is harder to cut accurately and can result in the tree reversing direction during the fall.

After you’ve made the first cut, you need to make another cut from the back of the tree, referred to as a “back cut”. You should use a notch that is deep enough but does not cut into the trunk. Depending on the size of the tree, you’ll need to create a hinge that is at least 3 cm thick.

The hinge allows the sawyer to control the speed of the fall and the direction it will travel, as well as how much the tree bends in the falling process. It can also help the tree to break under its own weight.

Determine the fall path by studying the tree and assessing its load and lean. This can be done by stepping back and using a plumbline (see fact box below).

Once you’ve determined the tree’s fall path, clear around it in that direction and about 45 degrees behind it. This is called a “path of retreat” and helps you to create a safe escape route for yourself should the tree begin to fall.

Now, make a second cut from the back of the tree to a point that is slightly higher than where the first cut was. This cut is referred to as a “back cut.”

A tree’s back cut will cause it to move in response to the force of the chainsaw, but you’ll need to be able to get out of the way before it starts falling. To do this, create a path of retreat that is at least 2.0 times the height of the tree from its base and is clear of any other people or valued targets.

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