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Friday, July 19, 2024

Tree Felling – How to Safely Fell a Tree

Tree felling is a process of cutting down a whole tree using quality cutting tools and allowing it to fall in place. This is different to bucking, where the tree is cut up into logs ready for removal, and limbing, which is the process of removing unwanted branches from trees.

There are several reasons why you may need to fell a tree, such as structural damage, a lack of light or disease. It is important to use a qualified, experienced tree service to ensure the best results. Tree felling should always be carried out with the utmost care to minimise environmental impact and ensure your safety.

It is essential to prepare the area before commencing tree felling. The feller should assess the site for hazards, including interlocking branches or dead tops of other trees, and clear the area around the base of the fallen tree to provide an escape route. It is also important to check that the ground condition is dry and suitable for safe felling. If the site has a slope, the faller should clear the entire downhill side and make sure the work area is secured and lookouts are in place.

Before starting the felling cuts, the feller should make a notch cut at a 45-degree angle on one side of the tree, and a back cut on the other side at a few inches above the notch. This weakens the base of the tree, helping guide its direction of fall. Once the notch and back cuts are made, the saw operator should carefully examine the surroundings, considering the lean of the tree, surrounding obstacles and the potential impact on buildings or power lines.

During the felling process, it is very important to maintain control of the saw blade at all times. This will prevent the wood from splitting violently, which could potentially lead to a severe accident. It is also essential to keep the blade clean of sand, mud and other debris, as this can cause kickback and injury. The feller should be aware of the direction of the wind, as this can significantly affect how a tree lands.

After making the felling cut, the saw operator should take a few minutes break to let the tree settle. It is important to do this because dead branches, called widowmakers, can fall several minutes after a tree has been felled and can severely injure or kill saw operators.

Regular tree felling helps to reduce the risk of accidents due to unstable or leaning trees, especially during storms or high winds. It also improves the health and biodiversity of forests, as it creates space for new growth and understory vegetation. As a result, we can plant more trees to replace those that have been felled, which in turn promotes ecological balance and sustainability. To learn more about Tree Felling, contact the team at Tree Services Sydney. We have the expertise and experience necessary to safely remove any type of tree from your property.



source https://petestreeworxwa2.wordpress.com/2024/07/19/tree-felling-how-to-safely-fell-a-tree/

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