Tree Removal / Removing a Tree
Chainsaw
Gear / Equipment/ Tools needed:
- Hard hat
- Safety Glasses
- Face Shield
- Gloves
- Pants Coverings or jeans
- Boots
- Chainsaw
- Wedge or Rope
Second, you want to plan your escape route, which is 45 degrees from the projected direction of the tree fall.
When using a chainsaw, there are three important terms to remember:
- Face Notch - The face notch is a 70 degree cut into the wood, directly facing the direction and area the tree will be falling. A horizontal cut is made into the tree, and a 70 degree diagonal cut is made to meet the end of the horizontal cut. When the wood is removed from the face notch, the crease in the tree at the base of the two cuts is called the hinge.
- Hinge - The hinge is the strip of wood fibers behind the face notch. The tree will fall to the ground from this point, folding on the hinge, much as a door does when it closes.
- Back Cut - The back cut is extremely important, as it MUST be above the face notch and hinge. Depending on your preferred method and size of the tree, this can be a horizontal cut or a diagonal cut. It is crucial that the end of this cut is at a higher point than the hinge, because if it is equal or lower, the tree can fall whichever direction it likes, which could be right where you are standing.
To stabilize the tree to control the fall as much as possible, use a rope or wedge to stabilize the tree. A rope can be used to pull in the direction of the desired fall, and a wedge can be used in the back cut to stabilize a tree that is leaning backwards, or opposite the direction of the desired fall.
Here is one more video from www.kittatinnytree.com demonstrating tree removal with a chainsaw:
