If you're planning on removing a tree, you can't simply chop it down, cross your fingers, and hope for the best. Should that tree fall the wrong way, it could land on your house, car, a power line, or even you. If you want to learn more about how to make a tree fall a certain way, Monster Tree Service of North Atlanta, your go-to tree service in Atlanta, explains what you need to know.
How To Make a Tree Fall a Certain Way
We recommend you hire a professional when it comes to felling trees. Doing so without a professional's help can result in you getting hurt, especially if you don't have any training in tree removal. Give us a call today for a free estimate!
Here's how professional arborists safely remove trees.
1. Confirm the Fall Zone
To fell a tree, such as a Norway spruce, you need to know where your cut will fall. When determining the felling zone, always include extra space for safety. Better to have too much than too little, so be sure your plans allow room for error.
2. Confirm Your Escape Route
Wondering how to make a tree fall a certain way without injuring yourself? Before removing your tree, you'll need to determine an escape route so that you may successfully vacate the area as the tree comes down. Without one, you risk serious injury should the tree land on you. When planning your escape route, ensure that you have two paths leading at a 45-degree angle away from your tree.
3. Evaluate Your Tree and Create a Notch
Before you begin cutting, look at your tree to determine if factors like weight will make it fall the opposite of where you want the hinge wood to guide it. If there are more branches on one side, or more lean on one side, this will impact things, making your back cut useless.
Once you've finished your inspection, start cutting the notch by placing your bottom cut. You can do this by cutting a V-shape into the tree, a fifth of the way into the trunk, on the side where you want your tree to fall.
4. Use a Wedge For the Final Cut
As you cut, use wedges between the cut and your chainsaw. This prevents the blade from getting stuck. Align the saw with your cut line and the tip of the directional notch. Once you notice the tree leaning after making the felling cut, turn off the chainsaw and move away from the tree using your predetermined escape route. If all goes well, your hinge cut will be successful.