Tree felling techniques

Tree felling techniques

Felling Techniques Overview

  • Felling refers to the process of cutting down trees, a significant task in forestry and arboriculture.
  • Two main techniques in tree felling: Conventional Hardwood Felling Technique and Humboldt Felling Technique.

Conventional Hardwood Felling Technique

  • Commences with creating the notch cut or directional cut to guide the way tree will fall.
  • The notch cut comprises of two separate cuts: the horizontal cut and angle cut.
  • Horizontal cut: Parallel to the ground and commonly one-third into the tree trunk.
  • Angle cut: Almost 45 degrees downwards slope, meeting the end of horizontal cut, creating a notch.
  • The remaining backcut determines how, where, and when the tree falls.
  • Hinge wood is left to control the tree’s direction of fall.
  • Back cut: Final cut to release the tree to fall in the desired direction of the notch.
  • Safety precautions: avoiding hard leans, weak spots on trunk, and ensuring enough escape routes are available.

Humboldt Felling Technique

  • Named after the county in California where it originated.
  • Designed to maximize the yield of wood from each tree.
  • Begins with a horizontal cut, followed by an upward angle cut.
  • Creates a step-like notch, known as Humboldt notch, as opposed to an angled one like the conventional method.
  • The back cut is made at the same level as the horizontal cut.
  • Designed to leave less log wood (stump) on the forest floor.

Using Wedges in Tree Felling

  • Wedges: Handy tools in controlling the direction of tree fall.
  • Made of plastic or aluminium and avoid damage to the chainsaw.
  • Used when back cutting, driven into it to control fall direction.
  • Helps prevent “sitting back” on the saw.

Safety Precautions and Equipment

  • Using correct PPE (Personal Protective Equipment): Helmet, safety glasses, gloves, chainsaw protective trousers and boots.
  • Checking for dead branches or hung-up trees that could fall during felling operations.
  • Proper chainsaw handling techniques: good grip, firm footing and constant awareness of your surroundings.
  • Maintaining safe distance from falling trees and ensuring clear escape paths.
  • Calculating height of tree and the falling distance to avoid damage to surroundings.
  • Proper understanding of environmental factors like wind direction and strength, slope and trunk lean.