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How to cut down a tree safely By Robert Fogg
Just about anywhere you live there is a tree service company or individual nearby, but occasionally you might decide to tackle the job yourself. What issues do you need to think through before you decide if it’s within your ability?
The first thing to consider is how competent you feel running a chainsaw, and if you have a fully-fueled, good-running and sharp chainsaw. Assuming you feel comfortable and have confidence in your chainsaw, remember to wear your safety gear — minimally a hard hat, steel-toe boots, hearing/eye protection and leg chaps. The next step is assessing the tree. Is there room to drop the tree without its hitting an obstacle? Look up. Any wires? What if the tree goes the wrong way? Will it hit anything… such as your house… or worse, your neighbor’s house? Also keep in mind if you hit a utility line, it could put your whole neighborhood out of service, which could cost you a lot of money, and your name would be mud in the neighborhood.
Assuming all the factors fall into place and you decide to go for it, first determine the direction of lean. Hopefully, you can drop the tree in that direction. The following instructions apply only if the tree has a slight to moderate lean (If the tree has a hard lean, there would be a different sequence of instructions). The first cut you will make is the notch cut. This will tell the tree which direction to fall. First, make cut on the base of the tree, on the side of the tree facing the intended direction of fall, at a downward angle with the chainsaw held 90 degrees to the direction of fall.
Then, make a horizontal cut that meets with the bottom of the first cut. You should end up with a wedge shaped piece of wood lying on the ground and an open-faced notch in the side of the tree, facing the direction of fall. Then, be sure to stand on the “good luck” side of the tree when you make your back-cut. This would be the side facing away from any side-lean and hopefully also away from any obstacle that you do not want the tree to accidentally fall on.
At this point, plan your exit strategy for when the tree starts to fall. Typically, you should exit at a 45 degree angle away from the direction of fall. This would also be a good time to double check the area to make sure no one, and no pets, have wandered into the drop zone. Once you are comfortable you can drop the tree safely, make a horizontal cut into the back of the tree at a slightly higher elevation than the bottom of the notch cut (no more than an inch higher).
Cut while holding the saw blade parallel with the front notch cut. Be sure to stop cutting an inch or two (depending on the size of the tree) from the front notch cut. The remaining uncut wood between the back cut and the notch cut is called the “hinge” and it will help direct the tree to fall in the intended direction. If you cut off the hinge wood, even if it’s only on one side, you will completely lose control of the direction of fall. Once the tree begins to fall, follow through with your exit strategy, moving to a safe location.
If, on the other hand, you decide (or your wife decides for you) it’s too risky to cut the tree by yourself, contact a competent arborist and have the job done professionally. Be sure to ask for a certificate of insurance, especially workman’s compensation insurance (in case a worker is injured on your property). The cost of cutting a tree professionally could be a fraction of the cost of 1) Dropping the tree on a house; 2) A divorce.
Good luck and stay safe.
The author is general manager of Q-Team Tree Service in Naples and is also a licensed arborist. He can be reached at RobertFogg@Q-Team.com or 207-693-3831.
