Published on: January 6, 2022
Written by Eric Devin / Fact-checked by David Rowan

Sometimes for extra caution, we use the term “DOs and DON’Ts” to make things more specific to understand and easy to follow. These specific cautions also help reduce high-risk behaviors and promote correct practices among users. One of the high-risk behaviors is commonly associated with cutting down the trees.

The wrong way of cutting trees is again associated with harms to trees, humans as well as structures around the jobsite. This wrong technique ultimately results in a significant number of injuries, deaths, and damage to surroundings.

As we know, the chain saw is one of the most versatile tools for cutting down the tree. If you don’t take care of the aspects associated with safer cutting procedures and guidelines of cutting down trees, it would lead to severe injuries and undesirable project’s accomplishment. There is a list of embargos that you must strictly adhere to achieve a safer and uninterrupted cutting result of your tree.

However, I would discuss all the aspects related to “never do this when cutting down a tree” for a safer and successful outcome of your project.

Never Neglect Wearing Safety Equipment

Wearing safety equipment is an essential task before dealing with the power tools, particularly different saws. All kinds of saws are assembled with extremely sharp blades. There is a high risk of encountering injuries if you don’t wear safety equipment as recommended by the experts. The major safety equipment associated with cutting down trees are helmets, safety gloves, earmuffs, safety vests, safety goggles, steel-toed boots, etc. to be protected from workplace hazards and injuries.

Never Use Obsolete Chain Saw

Another mandatory task is to gather a powerful chainsaw when you are having a tree cutting project. Your saw should be fully functional. This precautionary measure would protect you, co-workers, and by-passers from severe injuries and deaths. If your saw is obsolete or defective, you should repair or replace it before commencing your project.

Say “No” to Dull Chain

Never dare to use a dull chainsaw. Dull chain is linked to inefficient cut, risk of a kickback as well as injuries.

Never Neglect to Check out the Chain Tension

Always inspect your chain tension carefully after each use and when necessary. Make necessary adjustments to tighten it when required. New chain needs to be checked repeatedly, at least every 20-minute interval while using and after each use as well. If your chain is not reasonably tight and secured, it may cause flying off the bar leading to serious wounds. Loose chain is a major cause of damaging the driver’s bar which could disturb all the fittings and they might need to be reassembled properly.

Never Forget to Employ Co-worker

For your safety, you always need to have one or more co-workers to assist you in the job-site as when necessary. Your assistant must stay vigilant while the cutting tasks take place. He also should be taking care of the tree and all other associated things in the job-site and be able to warn you in advance about all the risks and abnormalities detected. These warnings would allow you to take measures well in advance in order to prevent all kinds of accidents and harms.

Never Avoid Pre, During and Post Cutting Issues

Inspect all pre, during and post cutting issues to avoid serious injuries and death. Therefore, before going to cut, check out all the related issues with the tree, including electric wires, poles, and post-cutting issues as well to ensure all kinds of safety.

Never Tend to Use Ladder

One of the high-risk behaviors is tending to use a ladder to reach out to the upper portion of the tree. Never take such risks. Using a ladder is extremely disastrous to your safety issues including falling.

Don’t Let Chainsaw out of Fuel

Make sure your chain saw has an adequate amount of fuel before operation. Else, shortage of fuel might be interrupting your cutting task in the half-way of your work which won’t give you the expected cutting result.

Never Miss your Clasp

Another high-risk behavior is taking off the grip while the cutting task is ongoing. Never move your hand away from the saw while running. It would result in having a kickback leading to severe injuries by the chain saw.

Never Go for a Rotten Tree to Cut

Never undertake any rotten tree cutting project. Rotten tree is combined with many dead branches and limbs. They are very much likely to fall in any direction randomly leading to major injuries and damage to the surroundings including structures.

Never Cut the Tree Horizontally

Cutting the tree horizontally is a completely wrong idea. It should be strictly prohibited, especially in the case of a tall tree. It’s an extremely dangerous practice as it may injure the workers and spoil the whole surroundings. Besides, it would damage your chainsaw. Never push forward the tree to fall down nor tie up the tree with a rope in a bid to pull it down.

Another wrong practice is cutting a tree above the notch from the backside of the tree. It would break off the tree and won’t have fibers to hold the tree in its place.

Never force the tree to fall in a certain direction you intend to. Let the tree fall in its own direction naturally. Have a safe distance from the site at the time of falling. Else, you would get severely injured.

Don’t be Near the Structures and Power lines

Don’t risk yourself being electrocuted. Besides, electric lines and structures would interrupt the feeling task as well as cause injuries, particularly electrocution.

Avoid Feeling in Kick-Back Zone

In the chainsaw, there is an area, called the kick-back zone, located on the top half of the bar’s tip. If the chain accidentally gets tousled with the kick-back zone while running could cause a saw to kick up and back toward you and get you seriously injured.

Never Tweak the Saw

It’s evident that sometimes the saw tends to get tired if the cut is made too far through a branch. This technique backup the trunk while cutting the chopped trees into smaller pieces. If such a situation arises, immediately stop your chainsaw. Then lift the trunk with the support of another robust branch instead of the saw.

Never Cut the Earth

Another major harmful practice is to allow your chain to touch the ground while cutting off the felled tree taking place. It would massively dull the chain teeth of the chain saw. It’s good to have a partial cut first and then complete the remaining cutting task by rotation.

Never Leave the Stamp

There is a solution made of powdered potassium nitrate used to accelerate the rotting process of the stamp. The best option is buying a tree stamp removal to remove the stamp. The simple process is to dispense the granules, a solution, and water into the drilled holes and leave it for a few weeks. It would help your stamp become adequately supple accelerating the rotting process. Finally, lift out the rotten stamp with an axe or other device.

How Can You Ensure the Tree is Cut Down Safely and Efficiently?

1. Hire a professional tree removal service. Professional tree services will have the right tools, knowledge, and expertise to safely and efficiently cut down the tree.

2. Ensure that the tree removal company has the proper insurance and certifications, such as liability insurance and a valid tree removal license.

3. Make sure that the tree removal company has a plan for the removal of the tree, including the proper tools and equipment needed.

4. Have the tree removal company create a plan for disposing of the tree and its branches, such as chipping or hauling away.

5. Make sure the tree removal company is aware of any nearby power lines, buildings, or other structures that may be affected by the removal of the tree.

6. Have the tree removal company use safety equipment, such as a hard hat and protective eyewear, when cutting down the tree.

7. Ensure that the tree removal company follows all local and state regulations on tree removal.

Final Words

However, you have already got a primary idea about some basic safety aspects of cutting down a tree. You have also been made aware of some cautions encompassing a list of Don’ts while you have to deal with the feeling of a long tree. It would prevent harm to both trees and workers. Besides, other safety aspects have been discussed to make you critically aware and keep you and the structures out of danger. Always read the User’s Instruction Manual carefully before dealing with your device.

It would be our success if you could apply your knowledge in your upcoming tree-felling projects. If you need further consultation, you may contact us at your earliest convenience. As always, we are there to hear from you so as to be able to accommodate your all concerns and make our service more pro-client.

I look forward to working together with our valued clients like you to render our best clients service in the days to come.

Never Do This When Cutting Down a Tree