Directing the fall of a leaning tree to prevent dangerous breakages requires patience and taking the right steps to control the tree’s fall. Felling large trees near houses, as well as felling smaller trees also requires specialized steps, precautions, and orders of operation. Cutting the branches off a large leaning tree prior to felling the trunk can help reduce weight and leverage, making it easier to correct the lean of the tree with felling wedges in future steps.
Cut about one-third of the way into the tree and leave your chainsaw bar in the tree and running. Here’s how you can fell a leaning tree with a chainsaw. Cut a notch into the tree on the side you want the tree to fall on.
When you’re planning on felling a tree, you can estimate where a tree will fall by using the “Ax handle trick.” This is how to fell a tree in the direction you want: hold an ax handle at arm’s length, close one eye, and back away from or move toward the tree until the top of the ax is even with the treetop and the bottom is even with the base. Wedges will keep the saw from getting pinched in the cut if the tree leans back. The instant the tree begins leaning, pull the saw free, set the chain brake and walk away along one of your escape routes, keeping an eye on the tree so you can react if it doesn’t fall the way you planned.
how to chainsaw leaning tree Related Question:
How do you cut down a tree against lean?
A large tree may be felled against its natural lean by inserting one or more wedges in the back cut. As the back cut is sawn, the wedges are driven in with an axe. The amount of back lean that can be overcome is based on the height and diameter of the tree to be felled.
Should you cut down a leaning tree?
Is the tree leaning? Leaning trees are more of a hazard than those growing vertically. A sudden lean indicates breakage or weakening of roots and the tree should probably be removed immediately. A tree leaning more than 15% from vertical probably should be removed.
Can you pull a tree down with a winch?
Tighten the winch to pull the tree in the direction you want it to fall. If the tree is going to be cut down, increase the tension as the tree is cut in order to direct its fall. If the tree is dead and you are pulling it down, continue to tighten the winch until the tree falls.
What kind of rope do you use to pull a tree?
When pulling down trees, the rope needs to stretch only a little, which is why most arborists go for a static rope (something along the lines of static polyester or high-tension polyester).
What are the dangers we bring by cutting trees?
Loose Limbs and Debris These loose limbs and various other debris that may be in the tree can hurt people on the ground or damage equipment and personal property. This is an especially large risk if the tree you are cutting down is already dead or dying.
What is a tree Widowmaker?
In forestry, a widowmaker or fool killer is a detached or broken limb or tree top. The name indicates that such objects can kill forest workers by falling on them.
What should you not do when a tree falls off?
When cutting up a felled tree, avoid touching the ground with the chain because even a brief encounter will severely dull the cutting teeth on your chain saw. If possible, cut partially through the tree and then rotate it to cut the rest of the way through.
Which is stronger twisted or braided rope?
Braided rope is stronger and is nicer on the hands than twisted rope, but it’s a pain to splice yourself. This means if you’re using a windlass and chain, and you are doing your own splicing, you’ll probably need to use twisted rope.
What is the strongest rope for pulling?
For superior strength and remarkable stretching capabilities, nylon is the rope of choice. Stronger than both manila and polypropylene, nylon commonly finds itself pulling the heaviest loads and bearing the most weight.
What is the strongest arborist rope?
As a high-strength, low-stretch product, the Blue Ox 24 Strand Arborist Bull Rope is the ideal choice for many arborists. The 24-strand polyester [1] is durable, withstanding abrasion, chemical damage, UV rays, and water.