Tree Cutting - Felling a Tree

Cutting of trees

Tree cutting is a part of garden maintenance it is sometime necessary to cut down a perfectly good growing tree. It may be that the roots are invading other parts of the garden (even under the property) or that the roots have grown too large and are interfering with the well water supply. A tree that is dying and might fall unexpectedly causing damage to your property would also have to be removed.

Tree cutting reasons

Whatever the reason (and there are many) great care must be taken when felling a tree and all appropriate safety measures should be taken as cutting trees can be dangerous. if you are in any doubt about your ability to do this work you should simply leave it to the professionals.

Tree removal safety

Why trees must be cut down: The reason for cutting down this tree (pictured) was because it had been leaning towards the house and over the past few years the angle had been worsening. Long before I bought the property a garden wall had been built only 2 foot from the tree and its roots must have been severely damaged on one side causing the tree to list badly. The tree had remained healthy nonetheless and its branches were used for years as supports as a family garden swing.

Planning the cut

Cutting high branches first

You can never spend too much time planning the work as safety is of the utmost importance. Look at the tree in different seasons and be aware of the branch structure. It is best to fell the tree when it is leafless as you can plan which branches to remove. Firstly I propped my ladder securely and went as high as I could into the tree and began removing branches with a 24" Bushman Saw (pictured). No chainsaw work for me so high in the tree. The purpose of this branch removal is prevention: that when the tree falls it does not sweep everything in front of it with its wide branch span.

Never work alone when removing a tree

Two people at a minimum are needed to fell the tree. One person operates the chain saw whilst the other keeps a strain on the guide rope which will be attached to the uppermost branches after the Bushman has completed the work on the lower branches.

Chainsaw cut safely

Tree cutting gloves

Chain saw helmet

Make sure you have all your protective clothing on before you start. This is the critical part and the vee which is cut first will tell you the direction in which you want the tree to fall. Be careful not to make this cut too deep as the tree might suddenly weaken and fall. The vee cut should be less than half of the diameter of the trunk. Once you begin the cut at the far side of the vee (opposite side to where the tree falls) be careful as the tree can weaken and fall quite suddenly. It is so important here to have your escape path available. Move quickly away as soon as the tree begins to fall. The rope used should be much longer than the tree height and the strain on the tree should be at 30 to 40 degree angle. This person will also have to have their escape route planned. Even the uppermost branches of a large tree could cause serious injury if you have worked with a short rope. When the tree falls it can sometimes bounce back at the stump by several feet so the person who is sawing needs to be well out of this space. Do not use a chainsaw in a confined space. The remaining stump can be a starting point for making a piece of wooden outdoor furniture.

How to use the cut wood

It can be burned (after drying out) or it can be carved to make nice wooden garden furniture. Planks from the tree might be used to make wooden planters or for the more ambitious of us can be constructed for garden benches

Replenishing natural tree resources

Replacement trees

I never cut down a tree without replacing it with another one or two trees. I actually planted two new plum trees (further away from the property) which are really fast growing trees plus you will have the benefit of the fruit within a year or two. No tree cutiing (just pruning) will be needed on these plum trees as their location is better and they are free from property and drainage works.