How to Drop a Tree in the Direction You Want
Directional dropping trees is a safety measure taken to prevent a falling tree from landing in an unexpected or unwanted location, from dropping onto valuable property or onto the logger. A directional drop requires a wedge cut and a horizontal cut. While the concept is straightforward, there are a number of factors to consider to safely drop fell a tree. Preparing to fall the tree is the most critical aspect of a directional drop. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Chain saw
- Work gloves
- Safety glasses
- Hard hat
- Long pants
- Steel toed boots
Instructions
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1
Inspect the tree and the area around it. Look for an area to fell the tree that has no other trees in the way. If one tree is fell onto another, the felled tree can prop up on the standing tree creating a dangerous hazard. Identify property that would be damaged if the tree were to fall on it. Fell the tree in the opposite direction if possible.
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2
Put on your safety equipment. Chop or cut any limbs or branches off the base of the trunk. Clean the area around the base of the tree free of debris, especially branches and limbs. Mark an "X" on the side of the tree in the direction you want it to fall 2 1/2 feet up the trunk. Mark another "X" on the opposite side of the trunk at the same height.
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3
Stand in the location from which you plan to make your first cut. Look on the ground below and behind you. Remove any debris that can impede a quick escape from the cutting area. Have a clear path at least 20 yards long from which you can get away from a falling tree.
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4
Rev the RPM of the chainsaw to full capacity. Begin at the top of the "X" and make a 45-degree cut down and into the center of the trunk. Stop cutting into the trunk once the blade sinks into 30 percent of the diameter of the tree.
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5
Make a lateral cut -- horizontal to the ground -- into the trunk. Make the cut at the same elevation as the bottom of the 45-degree downward cut. Once the blade cuts through the trunk to the point that it intersects the with the first cut, stop sawing. Remove the wedge from the tree trunk by kicking it loose.
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6
Stand on the opposite side of the tree from the wedge cut. Again, clean the ground below you and behind you so you can move quickly when the tree begins to fall. At the elevation of the second cut, make a third cut -- also horizontal -- until the tree begins to lean and fall. Once you see the trunk begin to move, or you hear cracks and snaps, turn off the chainsaw, and quickly move away. It is critical that you move quickly because the trunk may kick out as it is falling.
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Tips & Warnings
Never walk or run with a running chainsaw. Kill the engine before you move.
References
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
