How to Cut a Big Maple Tree Down

Chainsaws are the preferred tool for cutting down trees.

The three main operations in cutting down a large maple tree are limbing, felling and bucking. Limbing involves removing the largest limbs from the tree and then removing the smaller limbs after felling the tree. Felling is the process of cutting the tree down, and bucking is the process of cutting the limbs and trunk of the tree into manageable pieces of wood. Cutting a large tree down is a dangerous process, so it is important to plan the fall of the tree.

Things You'll Need

• Small rock
• String
• Safety goggles
• Work gloves
• Boots
• Long-sleeve shirt
• Long pants
• Earplugs
• Hardhat
• Chainsaw
• Boom lift
• Safety harness
• Safety rope
• Tape measure
• Sledgehammer

Instructions

Preparing

1. Walk 25 to 50 feet away from the tree and determine which way the tree is leaning. If the tree is growing straight and you're having a hard time determining the lean, then tie a rock to the end of a piece of 1-foot-long string. Hold the end of the string at arm's length with the rock hanging down. This is called a plumb. Line the rock up with the outside line of the tree's lower trunk. If the higher part of the trunk is leaning away from the string then the tree will fall to the right. If the higher part of the trunk is leaning in toward the string then the tree will fall to the left. Plumb the tree from two different sides to be sure.

2. Wait for a winter's day when the wind speed is at a minimum and all of the leaves have fallen from the tree. Wind can push the crown of a tree more when the leaves are present.

3. Examine the area in the direction where the tree will fall. This is called the landing area. Move all non-permanent items from the area.

4. Establish an escape route or path opposite of the landing area. This will be the path you will take away from the falling tree.

5. Put on a pair of safety goggles, work gloves, boots, a long sleeve shirt, long pants, earplugs and a hardhat.

6. Cut all brush around the trunk of the tree with with the chainsaw. Remove all of the debris and brush before attempting to cut the tree. This will allow the tree to fall without opposing obstacles. It will also allow you to get out of the way quickly.

Limbing

1. Cut the lower branches of the tree off with the chainsaw; no higher than shoulder height. You will lose control of the saw above shoulder height. Cut down in the crotch of the limb until the branch falls down and then cut the underside of the crotch to completely cut the branch away from the tree trunk.

2. Inspect the outer-reaching branches of the tree to see if any are overhanging structures or power lines.

3. Climb into the basket of the boom lift with the chainsaw. Put on the safety harness and hook your harness to the safety rope. Use the levers of the boom to lift you up to the outer-reaching branch ends.

4. Cut 12 inches of the branch away at a time with the chainsaw until the branch is no longer overhanging the obstacles. Move the basket inward toward the tree trunk until you have cut entire branch or branches. Do this around the entire tree if necessary.

5. Lower the boom lift basket to the ground and move the boom lift away from the fall zone of the tree. Remove the harness and then walk around the tree and remove all branch debris from the fall zone of the tree and the escape path of the feller. Remove all debris 10 feet out from the trunk on all sides. This will give the feller plenty of space to work.

Felling

1. Go to the leaning side of the tree with the chainsaw and a tape measure.

2. Measure from the backside of the tree to the leaning side of the tree to determine the actual diameter or width of the tree. Divide the number into thirds. A V-shaped notch will be cut into the leaning side one-third the width of the tree.

3. Cut a V-shaped notch into the leaning side of the tree one-third the width of the tree. Do this by cutting the trunk as low to the ground as is safely possible at a 90-degree angle. Cut down to this 90-degree-angle cut at a 45-degree angle one-third the width of the tree. Knock the notch out of the tree with a sledgehammer.

4. Stand at the backside of the tree and saw a back cut 2 inches above the apex of the notch at a light downward angle. Cut in one-third the width of the tree. When the tree begins to fall, pull the saw out of the cut and use the escape route to exit the fall zone.

Bucking

1. Cut the remaining limbs off of the entire length of the tree's main trunk. Cut the higher limbs first and then the lower limbs. Use the boom lift basket for limbs above shoulder height.

2. Go to the top of the tree and cut measure down toward the trunk 8 feet. Cut the tree at this point. Cut on top first and then underneath. Continue down the length of the tree, cutting the the tree into 8-foot segments.

3. Cut the 8-foot segments into fireplace-sized pieces of wood. The lengths will vary depending on the size of the fireplace.

Tips & Warnings

• If the maple tree is straight up and down, then a lumber mill may be interested in purchasing the tree for lumber. They might remove the tree, free of charge, in exchange for the lumber.

• Allow the rounds to dry completely before burning for firewood.

• Keep the chainsaw blade safety guard on the saw at all times when not in use.

• Turn the saw off when not in use.

• Check on local ordinances before cutting a tree down. A permit may be required.

• Consult with a professional if you doubt your skills and abilities.

References

• University Of Missouri Extension: Felling, Bucking and Limbing Trees