How to Cut Down a Tree That's Leaning

Cut down leaning trees so they fall in the direction toward which they lean.

A leaning tree can be corrected if the tree is young and small enough to stake and brace, but larger, heavily leaning trees are safety hazards that must be eliminated. The risk of property damage or personal injury is too great, especially if the tree is weakened by storm damage. If the tree is rotten or hollow, don't attempt to cut it down yourself. Rotten wood may collapse and fall in an unpredictable direction. If the tree is healthy, proceed with caution.

Things You'll Need

• Safety glasses
• Hard hat
• Canvas gloves
• Chainsaw

Instructions

1. Study the direction of the tree's lean from at least two angles to determine where it will fall. Take wind direction, power lines, streets, buildings and other trees into account. Get all movable objects out of the vicinity. If the tree is large and leaning toward your house, stop and call a tree service. If not, proceed.

2. Put on safety glasses and canvas gloves. Plan at least one escape route away from the tree, and practice escape scenarios until you're confident you can get away from the tree's fall.

3. Start the chainsaw and set the blade at a 45-degree angle on the side facing the direction of the tree's lean. Cut down to the center of the trunk and stop. Back out the blade and make another cut 8 to 10 inches lower, moving horizontally back to the first cut, creating a open-V notch.

4. Go to the other side of the tree. Make a third, horizontal cut just above the point of the notch, creating a hinge. Do not cut all the way through. As the blade nears the closed end of the notch the tree will fall of its own weight. Watch for any twisting of the trunk and move away in the opposite direction.

5. Step back and away from the tree as it falls, or the cut end may bounce up and hit you. Wait until the tree stops rocking on the ground, then move in. Cut the large limbs from the trunk, then cut the trunk into sections for chipping, composting or firewood.

Tips & Warnings

• If the tree's trunk is less than 6 inches in diameter, make one straight cut across the trunk, guiding its fall with your hand.

• Focus your full attention on using the chainsaw. Don't allow yourself to become distracted. If you have to run from the falling tree, drop the saw first.

References

• University of Missouri Extension; Felling, Bucking and Limbing Trees; Bruce Cutter; 1993
• University of Florida: Assessing Hurricane-Damaged Trees
• Kean University: Hazard Tree Assessment

Resources

• Tree Care Industry Association; Precision Tree Felling; Ken Palmer