When asking the question – do I need a license to cut down trees, you first need to figure out what specific trees you talking about. If you mean a couple trees in your backyard, then you free entirely free to do so, as these trees are your property. But be careful not to damage anything when the tree falls down — this includes you and your property as well as your neighbors and their properties. Make sure that you are taking the right precautions.
How to Cut Down a Tree
Dress for the occasion: A simple t-shirt and jeans won’t cut it. Wear a durable jacket, some protective headgear, jeans, and closed toe shoes to account for the tree debris. Then choose the direction which you want the tree to fall and clear that area of all objects. Make sure people in the area steer clear of the area and are aware of your tree removal project.
Next, assess the tree. Look at the slope of the ground and the slope of the tree itself. Needless to say, the slope in which you cut the tree and the slope of the ground is a more favorable direction for the tree to fall due to sheer gravity. Also, watch out for the branch distribution of the tree — the more branches it has on a side, the more weight that side carries.
Start by using a chainsaw to make a wedge cut from the direction which you want the tree to fall. Take the chainsaw at an angle that is slanted upward, at a 30 degree angle. Run the chainsaw through the tree at that slope, but do not cut the entire width of the tree. Only cut about 70% of it. You should now have a hanging cut in the tree.
Now make another wedge cut, slanted downwards at about the same angle and the same direction from which you want the tree to fall into. The two cuts should converge and leave a block of wood hanging loose in the tree. Take the block of wood out and you should have a “chipped” tree.
Push or kick the tree in the direction you want it to fall. This shouldn’t be too hard, as you have a chipped incline in the tree that guides the fall. Stand in the opposite direction of the incline and kick the tree away from you. Take into account the evenness of your footwear and the wind current if there is any.
Additional Help
If you feel like you need professional consultation on how to cut tree, TalkLocal can help with finding the correct local experts in this case, saving you time and energy in what may be a stressful situation.
