How to Cut Trees for Firewood
Cutting trees down can be a dangerous task, and a considerable amount of time can be wasted without a proper knowledge of how to cut and store firewood. Nonetheless, wood heat is the cheapest and most environmentally friendly means of winter warmth available. As oil prices continue to rise, many families protect their wallets by switching to firewood. Use extreme caution when felling trees, and remember to prepare cut wood several months before the winter season. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Prepare all necessary materials for cutting down a tree ahead of time. You will need a chainsaw, wedge, fuel, and bar and chain lube. When looking for trees, keep in mind that dead trees may be usable for indoor burning this year, and they are also more likely to become a hazard until they are cut down. Trees that are cut down while living will need to be seasoned for several months before being burned in indoor furnaces. Look for obstacles such as houses, other trees, power lines or fences that you need to avoid when the tree falls. Clear away vines or foliage from around the target tree.
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Plan everything carefully when cutting down a tree. First, prepare an escape route. When the tree begins to fall, you should already know which direction will get you out of the path of the falling tree the quickest. Next, plan your cut. The best way to fell a tree is by notching it and then creating a back cut. A notch should form a 70 degree angle, and enter less than half of the tree, according to Tim Ard of Forest Training Applications Inc. This notch will create a hinge for the weight of the tree to fall upon which controls the angle of the falling tree. A back cut will transfer the weight onto this notch.
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Fill the chainsaw with the recommended amount of fuel and bar and chain lube. Warm up the saw for at least a minute before attempting to cut into the wood. First, notch the wood as you planned in Step 2. Next, begin to cut the back cut slightly above the hinge of the notch. This back cut should be on a slight downward angle into the tree. A sharp angle can cause the tree to fall unpredictably. Do not cut completely through the back. When half of the back cut is made, place a wedge into the wood. Now, with the wedge in place, cut through the rest of the back. If the tree does not fall unaided at this point, use a sledgehammer to drive the wedge further into the wood. Whenever the tree cracks as though it is about to fall, get out of the way quickly using the escape route you planned in Step 2.
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Continue to use caution when cutting up a tree that has already been felled. As limbs are cut from the tree, its weight will shift. If it is a heavy tree, this can be dangerous. Cut off and clear away limbs smaller than two inches in diameter. These branches can be saved for kindling wood or outside burning. With a majority of the twigs cleared away it should be easier to get to the thicker limbs. Most indoor wood-burners can fit wood up to 18 inches in length. If you are using a standard 16 or 18 inch bar on your chainsaw, use the bar as a gauge for how long to cut each piece of wood. Be sure to allow the chainsaw a chance to cool down every 15 minutes to a half hour.
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Gather all the good wood you've cut, and store it properly for six months to a year. Wood burns much better if it is dried out first. This is called seasoning. Split chunks of wood with a diameter larger than 6 inches into several pieces using a wood axe. Stack the wood on pallets a few inches off of the ground to allow air to circulate beneath the wood as well as between it. Wood gathered before June should be ready to burn by Christmas. An average household will burn through approximately one cord a month or five cords a year. Be sure to have plenty of wood prepared and seasoned before winter gets here.
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Tips & Warnings
Using a chainsaw improperly can cause serious injury or even death. Use caution especially when felling a tree near any obstacles. For more information on chainsaw safety, watch Tim Ard's video clip called "Cut a Tree Down Safely".
