What Is Tree Felling?

What Is Tree Felling?

Tree felling is the process of completely or partially removing a tree. Typically, it entails either only chopping off the trunk and throwing the debris in the trash, or merely chopping off the top of the tree and removing the limbs. Tree felling demands specialised expertise and safety precautions, regardless of whether you use a chainsaw for your own projects or hire a professional tree surgeon to do it. Whether you intend to perform the task yourself or employ a professional, it is crucial to comprehend what tree felling entails and how to approach it securely.

Essentially, tree falling is the process of removing a tree in order to reduce the risk of disease spreading and increase public safety. Tree felling may be quite risky if done incorrectly; as a result, this kind of job must be done by a tree care professional who will plan the process properly, taking into consideration any potential dangers or hazards. Although safety concerns are the primary driver of tree removal, trees are occasionally felled for aesthetic or lighting reasons. The sooner the problem is discovered, the sooner it can be fixed to ensure the environment's safety and the safety of those strolling nearby. The best course of treatment will be determined by a complete evaluation of the tree, performed by experienced, qualified professionals.

What Does Tree Felling Include?

In most cases, a chainsaw is used to cut down trees, however, in other circumstances, hand tools or herbicides may be used instead. When falling trees, proper training and safety gear are required. When using a chain saw to cut firewood, trim trees, or harvest large pieces of timber, you will mostly be doing three things: felling, limbing, and bucking. Felling is the process of chopping down a standing tree and placing it where you want it. Limbing is the process of removing branches from either standing or dead trees. Bucking is the process of cutting a dead tree into manageable lengths. The fundamental safety guideline is to never attempt to chop off branches beyond the height of your shoulders while trimming undesired branches from standing wood. You must hold the chain saw at or almost at arm's length to cut over your shoulders, but doing so puts the saw out of your control. Always get expert assistance when limbing a tree to prevent any mishaps. Bucking frequently takes place when the tree is being limbed.

This is often true when using the crown's limbs as fuel. Before you leave the house, be sure you know how much firewood you'll need. When bucking logs, you must also provide a trim tolerance when cutting full-size goods like saw logs and veneer logs. Trim allowances of 4 to 6 inches are typical for an 8-foot log. The trim allowance is offered to enable square board ends to be cut at the mill. The felling of a tree may either make or break it. When felling a tree, several factors must be considered. If the tree is less than 6 inches in diameter, you may be able to push it where you want it. If the tree is larger than 6 inches, you probably won't be able to raise it by hand since it will be too heavy. The challenge is keeping the saw from impacting the tree since it can cause accidents.

What Are The Basic Types Of Felling Cuts?

Directional sink, back cut, side cuts and chain cuts are the four fundamental cuts used to chop down a tree. The initial cut, known as the directional sink, serves to determine which direction the tree will fall. Following the directed sink cut, the back cut is done, resulting in an undercut at the base of the tree that aids in controlling the fall direction. Then, on the sides of the tree, above the undercut and under the directional sink, the side cuts are performed. These incisions aid in determining how much of the tree may be chopped down without uprooting it completely.

The chain cut, which is the last cut, creates a full circle at the base of the tree by connecting the ends of the directional sink and back cuts. This incision is crucial for slightly leaning the tree in the direction of its intended fall. The undercut acts as the tree's aiming or guiding slot. In essence, an undercut includes a V-shaped notch that is positioned on the tree's side facing downward. You can use either a regular undercut or a reverse undercut. Usually, the slanting cut is done after the first cut, which is made parallel to the ground. An open-faced undercut is a modified undercut that has gained popularity nationwide; this cut is simpler to make.

Is Tree Felling The Same As Tree Removal?

Tree removal and tree felling are not the same thing. Tree removal is the process of actually getting rid of the tree, whereas tree felling is the act of chopping down a tree or certain sections of it. It's crucial to keep in mind that tree removal is only essential if the area has to be completely cleaned; it does not need to be done every time a tree is destroyed. Tree removal might not be required if the tree is being taken down for lumber or firewood.

Although falling a tree can sometimes be more effective than cutting it down, the hazards are far greater. Precision is necessary for the special tree-falling technique. 20% of the diameter of the trunk is typically entered by a 90-degree notch cut. The tree is then wedged and cut from the rear to fall in the appropriate direction. Whether it is advisable to remove a tree or cut it down depends largely on the site. For instance, a rural or lifestyle property with lots of open green areas will be used to tree cutting. To ensure the safety of the people and property, you must ensure that there is a large enough fall zone if you are to fell your tree.

What Are The Benefits Of Felling?

Trees are frequently cut down to create room for construction or to clear land for farming. But there are a lot of additional advantages as well. Because it enables foresters to locate and eliminate sick tree portions, felling aids in the prevention of disease outbreaks. Old and rotting trees are frequently home to a variety of animals, therefore felling also aids in the creation of secure habitats for wildlife.

By eliminating combustible debris, felling may also give the neighbourhood a supply of wood-based energy and help lower the danger of wildfires. A felled tree has a wide range of applications, and more are always being found. 80% of the wood that the UK requires is imported. It is possible to lessen the impact on natural forests from foreign countries by growing the timber for these items here at home. Additionally, transportation expenses and emissions should be decreased. A dead or dying tree can also provide a safety risk since it may fall and cause property damage or personal injury. A tree may become fragile, lose branches, or completely collapse as a result of storm damage or illness. Thus, dangerous trees are cut down in order to ensure everyone's safety. This is especially crucial if they are close to busy or heavily populated areas.

Trees and forests give us the rich timber resources we need to build a variety of everyday items as well as the biomass we need to produce fuel and electricity. Tree cutting is a typical and crucial component of effective woodland management. By allowing for natural regeneration to take place and species to flourish, it is also essential to maintain healthy forest conditions. Tree felling is a good, efficient management practice that improves the health and diversity of trees in wooded areas as well as the wildlife that lives there. It should be implemented as part of a management strategy that is appropriate for the affected species and is based on scientific study into the consequences produced.