It may interest you to know that felling a tree requires professional handling.
Cutting down a tree may not be as easy as taking up a chainsaw axing down the tree without taking into consideration some safety tips and techniques on how to go about the same.
Below is a step-by-step guide on how to cut and fall a tree. Also, you can get professional tree removal rhode island.
Step One: Getting Your Equipment Handy
Before thinking of getting down to the business of cutting down the tree, assemble all the equipment and gears you will be needing. This includes;
Protective Gear: there is a great percentage of you getting injured while felling on a tree. Reduce this risk by wearing leg coverings, a hard hat or helmet, steel toe boots, goggles, and heavy-duty gloves.
First Aid Kits: these are medical supplies for emergency purposes in case something goes wrong.
Cutting Tools: these by and large are your necessities. For this part, have your chainsaw in proper working mode with a sharp chain and a tankful of oil and gas. Ladder, rope, Ax, and wedges for support.
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Step Two: Examine the Tree
Before you commence operation, you must check for the following;
- To what direction is the tree leaning?
- Are there dead branches or leaves hanging around?
- Will branches of nearby trees obstruct your work?
- Is there anything in the surrounding that the fell of the tree can damage?
When you ascertain the above, you will be able to map out an escape route for yourself when things don’t go as planned.
Also, you will be able to conceive a strategy to fell the tree in such a way that it will be less detrimental to the surroundings. Also, you should clear the area around the tree.
Step Three: Prune the Trunk
Pruning the trunk is to ensure that hanging branches and twigs don’t get in your way. The best way to do this is by making use of a pulling chain, from the top to the bottom of the tree.
Step Four: Decide on The Felling Direction
You must determine the fall path of the tree before you start cutting. If the tree is leaning, that direction to which it leans is the best direction for it to fall provided it Is clear.
Have clear surroundings to ensure that the tree doesn’t fall on other trees as it topples. This can cause grave harm or result in reducing the value of the tree.
Step Five: Plan the Escape Routes
Your escape route should always be towards the side of the fall path and not behind the same. This is to protect you from the butt kicks of the tree as it topples.
Step Six: The Cutting Process
Here is the most important aspect of the felling process. Ensure you do the following:
- Sound The Tree – this is the process of identifying whether the tree is dead wood or live wood. Deadwood is easier to cut than live wood. Use your felling ax to knock around the tree, wherever you hear a hollow sound, that’s an indication of a dying tree or dead tree. But hearing a crack or solid sounds is indicative of live wood.
You will want to knock around as much as possible to ensure you get a convenient part to start sawing.
- The Horizontal Cut – this is the first of the two cuts necessary for making a notch cut on the tree. It should always be horizontal and must not be more than one-third the width of the tree. Also, when making a horizontal cut, ensure it is not higher than your hip height.
- The Wedge Cut – the wedge cut is the second part of the notch. You are to either cut from the top of the horizontal cut or below the horizontal cut. While you ensure that the two cuts meet accurately to create a wedge on the tree. When you’ve completed this, take out the wedge cut and inspect the tree.
- The Back Cut – this is the final cut that will determine how your holding wood is, that’s the piece that determines how the tree falls. Make it as thick as possible. Figure out where the back cut needs to be to terminate and mark it on your tree. That should be at least 1.5 inches above the horizontal cut for optimum result. As you cut, place a wedge that will prevent the tree from settling on the chainsaw.
- Make Your Escape – when you noticed the tree is falling and towards the end of the notch, ready yourself for an escape. Do not run with your back turns towards the falling tree as this may be dangerous.
