- 1). Perform any scheduled cleaning or maintenance on the chainsaw before attempting to cut down a tree. Put a properly sharpened chain onto the guide bar. Set the tension on the chain to your chainsaw's manufacturer recommendations (see operator's manual). Put on all of your safety equipment.
- 2). Make sure the chain brake is working by pushing forward on the black handle that runs across the top of the saw. Disengage the chain brake and start the saw. Allow the engine to warm up for several minutes before cutting the tree down.
- 3). Determine the natural lean of the tree. This is the direction the tree's top is growing in. Trees on a hill will often lean downhill. Make sure you evaluate the direction and degree of the lean before making any cuts. For beginners, it is best to only cut trees in their natural lean direction.
- 4). Inspect the top of the tree for any "limb loading" where branches only grow on one side. This weight can pull the tree towards the weighted side. Inspect the top of the tree for any dead or loose branches, which may fall on you during cutting. Check for any other overhead hazards such as power lines, other trees or houses that your tree may hit on the way down.
- 5). Walk up to the intended tree. Carefully inspect the wood for any rot or deep cracks running up the sides of the tree. Rotten trees and snags should only be felled by professionals. Cut into sound, healthy wood.
- 6). Hit the base of the tree hard with the butt of the axe head and watch the top of the tree for any limbs or other debris to fall. Hit it several more times to make sure nothing will fall out during your felling operation.
- 7). Plan your escape route from the tree. This should be at a 45-degree angle from behind the intended fall direction. Never plan an escape route to the side or directly behind the stump. Cut away any small trees or bushes that may block your escape route in the event of an emergency.
- 8). Plan a secondary, emergency escape route in the event the tree doesn't fall in the intended direction. This should be on the opposite side of the stump you are cutting from. Cut away any trees or bushes that may block the path.
- 9). Line up the chainsaw using the "sights," which are on or next to the handlebars on most chainsaws. These lines allow you to point the tree in its intended falling direction. Hold the saw perpendicular to the stump and flat. Dig your "saw dogs" or the metal spikes on the bar cover into the tree.
- 10
Call out loudly "Tree coming down, face cut," if you're in a public area or where people may be. Cut into the tree about 40 percent of the diameter. - 11
Make your angled cut, to form the "pie wedge." This cut, roughly 45-degrees from the first cut, should match perfectly to the end point of the first cut. Do not overlap these cuts. When the tree falls, these cuts must line up perfectly to make the tree fall in the intended direction. Clean up the inner angle with your chainsaw or felling axe if your cuts don't line up. - 12
Call out loudly "Tree coming down, back cut," if you're in a public area. Start the saw and begin your back cut. Cut the tree flat and even, on the opposite side of your face cut. Make sure your back cut is about 1 inch above your first cut. Continue cutting while looking up at the top of the tree. - 13
Run away from the tree using your planned escape route. Drop the saw if the tree is falling faster than you intended or something unexpected occurs. Continue watching the tree as it falls. Don't take your eyes off the tree until it hits the ground. Then watch out for any overhead hazards after the tree falls.
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