What Is Tree Felling?

Tree felling is the activity of cutting down a tree to ground level. To ground means that the tree stump and root system remain.

Why is tree felling done?

Tree felling can be necessary for many reasons, such as clearing land for construction, harvesting timber, or removing hazardous or diseased trees.

What is tree limbing?

Limbing is the process of removing branches from either standing or fallen trees.

What is tree bucking?

Bucking is the procedure of cutting a fallen tree into appropriate lengths.

What is a tree feller?

A tree feller is a person who cuts down trees. They may fell trees manually or mechanically.

What are the two types of tree felling?

The two types of tree felling are manual tree felling and mechanical tree felling.

What is manual tree felling?

Manual tree felling means cutting down a tree using hand tools like axes, saws, and chainsaws. Manual tree felling is the most versatile type of tree felling and is best for felling small trees or trees that are hard to reach. Manual felling requires skilled tree fellers to assess the trees’ condition, make precise felling cuts and manage the direction of the fall. They need to direct the trees’ fall carefully to protect nearby buildings and plants from potential damage.

There are two methods of manually felling trees: straight tree felling and sectional tree felling.

What is straight tree felling?

Straight tree felling, or directional felling, is the method of cutting down an entire tree so that it falls in a specific, straight direction. The process of straight tree felling involves making two key cuts:

1. The Notch Cut is a V-shaped cut on the same side of the tree facing the direction you want it to fall. The notch guides the tree’s direction as it begins to lean.
2. The Felling Cut is a horizontal cut positioned slightly above the notch on the tree’s opposite side. It must be level with or slightly above the horizontal part of the notch. The depth of the felling cut should be approximately one-quarter to one-third of the tree’s diameter.

The execution of both cuts combined will cause the tree to lean and eventually fall in the desired direction. In straight tree felling, it’s essential to ensure that both cuts are correctly aligned to guide the tree to fall exactly where needed. Straight tree felling requires skill and attention to the trees’ natural lean, surrounding terrain, and wind direction to minimise risk and ensure accuracy.

What is sectional tree felling?

Sectional tree felling, or dismantling, means felling a tree in sections rather than all at once. This method is preferred when a tree is too large, leaning in an unsafe direction, or located in a confined space where it would be too dangerous for straight felling.

The process of sectional tree felling involves the following steps:

1. Top-Down Cutting: The tree is first climbed or accessed using equipment such as a MEWP (Mobile Elevated Work Platform) or rope systems. The tree is then cut into manageable sections, starting from the top and working downward.
2. Cutting the Sections: The tree is sectioned into smaller parts, usually starting with the top branches and working down to the trunk. Each section is cut carefully and lowered using ropes, cranes, or other rigging equipment to avoid damage to surrounding structures, trees, or the ground.
3. Controlled Felling Cuts: Skilled arborists can achieve directional control when necessary by making angled cuts in specific sections to guide their descent. This approach helps prevent damage and ensures sections land in designated areas.

Dismantling trees in sections allows for more control, vital in tight spaces or when dealing with dangerous trees that pose risks to people or property.

What is Mechanical Tree Felling?

Mechanical tree felling is cutting down trees using heavy machinery like excavators, feller bunchers, or harvesters. Mechanical is the safest, most efficient type of tree felling, but it requires suitable access for the machinery. These specialist machines efficiently cut and grasp trees, sometimes removing their branches before transforming them into logs. Here’s how these machines work:

• Excavator with a tree shear or grapple saw:  The excavator grips the tree firmly with its hydraulic arms whilst its shear or saw attachment slices through it.
• Feller Buncher: This machine has a hydraulic arm equipped with a blade that cuts the tree down at the base. The feller buncher can also grab several trees and gather them into a pile, which is then processed further.
• Harvester: After the feller buncher has felled trees, a harvester can strip the branches and saw the tree into logs, making the whole process more automated and faster.

The most common applications for mechanical tree felling include:

• Forestry
• Woodland management
• For large trees
• For trees in open areas
• For large amounts of trees
• For trees with defects that make climbing unsafe

In conclusion, the best type of tree felling will depend on many factors, such as the tree dimensions, site conditions and available tools. Manual and mechanical approaches offer distinct benefits and drawbacks, requiring competent operators to maintain safety and productivity.

Tree Felling Safety Measures

Before felling trees, assessing and planning how to keep people and property safe from harm is essential. Here’s what a tree feller should consider when planning to fell a tree:

• Tree Dimensions: determine the trees’ height, diameter, and lean.
• Site assessment: assess the job site and identify any obstacles and potential hazards, e.g. people, structures, and utilities.
• Tree condition: evaluate the condition of the tree. Look for signs of disease, decay, or leaning, which may affect the felling process.
• Weather Conditions: lousy weather, such as wind and rain, can increase the risk.
• Escape Routes: identify and clear multiple escape routes in preparation for the tree falling in an unexpected direction.
• Tree Felling Laws: check if the tree felling project requires permission, permits or approval. We cover this topic in further detail below, but you can also visit the Forestry Commission website for more information about tree felling rights and wrongs.

Tree Felling Safety Equipment and PPE

Personal protective equipment (PPE) protects tree fellers from injury while felling trees. Anyone felling a tree should be using the following safety equipment and PPE:

• Protective helmet to shield your head against objects that may fall.
• Safety goggles or a helmet visor to guard your eyes from potential harm.
• Ear defenders to minimise harmful noise levels.
• Cut-resistant chainsaw trousers to safeguard your legs whilst operating the chainsaw.
• Reinforced chainsaw safety boots to protect your feet from falling objects and chainsaw cuts.
• Protective chainsaw gloves to prevent hand injuries and chainsaw cuts
• Two Ropes and a safety harness with a lanyard to prevent falling when working at height.

Tree fellers should be qualified and capable of performing the tree felling task, including maintaining and operating the equipment required. Felling operatives must routinely inspect their equipment to ensure they’re safe and working correctly. Tree surgery equipment for climbing or lifting will likely need a LOLER certificate.

Safety must remain the number one priority when tree felling. All felling operatives are responsible for implementing proper safety measures to safeguard themselves and others.

What is the law on cutting down trees in the UK?

Tree felling laws can be complex, so if you’re unsure about the legalities of felling a tree, seek advice from your local council or government authority. Visit the GOV.UK website for more information about tree felling laws.

Laws for Felling a Tree on your Property

You do not need permission to fell a tree if it is entirely on your property unless it is located in a Conservation Area or protected by a Tree Preservation Order. If your tree is subject to a TPO (Tree Preservation Order) or is with a Conservation area, you must obtain permission before any tree work begins. If you rent or lease your property, you must also get the landlord’s or owners’ permission first. We recommend consulting a professional arborist or tree consultant to ensure you fell a tree legally.

Tree Felling Licences

If you plan to fell a tree or trees totalling five cubic metres of timber, or if the trees are outside a private property, you will likely need a tree felling licence. You can apply for a felling licence from the forestry commission or relevant government department, allowing you to fell specific trees or areas of woodland legally. Particular conditions for replanting the area or maintaining the trees for an agreed time may apply. Tree felling licences for thinning woodland generally don’t have a restocking condition. We recommend visiting the GOV.UK website for further guidance on when you need to apply for a tree felling licence.

The Environmental Impact of Tree Felling

Tree felling, particularly on a large scale, can severely impact the environment. Trees play vital roles in ecosystems by providing homes for wildlife, absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. When we fell trees, we eliminate these crucial benefits. Felling trees also triggers soil erosion, increases flood risks and reduces biodiversity. Moreover, it contributes to climate change since trees function as natural carbon stores that help combat global warming.

While trees are essential for our survival, and we must increase their numbers, responsible tree felling also has some environmental benefits.

Tree felling can create new habitats, safeguard other trees, and protect humans from harm. We must have a mixture of habitats, including open spaces, for a healthy ecosystem. Like humans, sometimes trees can get sick through pests and disease. Felling sick trees can prevent the spread of tree pests and diseases. Diseased or damaged trees can also be dangerous and require felling to avoid harming people or property.

The Economic Impact of Tree Felling

Tree felling can have both beneficial and detrimental economic impacts. We all require wood products, and harvesting timber can yield substantial profits. Timber harvesting and wood product manufacturing create employment opportunities and bolster local economies.

Even so, felling trees can have negative economic impacts. When woodlands and forests disappear, we lose natural services like water control and soil protection. Consequently, we often need to find expensive ways to replace what nature did for free. What’s more, felling trees might lead to less money from tourism. Many people come to these areas for the wildlife, how they look, and to enjoy outdoor activities.

Tree Felling Summary

So, what is tree felling? Tree felling is the procedure of cutting down a tree. Tree felling becomes necessary for trees in poor health, to avoid safety issues, or to create space. But please remember, felling a tree isn’t something to take lightly. You should always consider the environmental and economic impact of felling trees.

When trees need felling, we recommend you hire an insured and qualified tree surgeon or arborist. An expert tree feller will provide a safe and efficient tree-felling service and may offer alternatives to tree removal.

If you require tree felling in North London or need the expertise of a certified tree surgeon in North London, contact North London Tree Surgeons today.

Tree Felling FAQs

What is felling of trees?

Felling involves cutting down a standing tree and dropping it in a desired location.

What are the 4 steps in felling?

4 Step Felling Plan

• Assess the tree to identify its height, whether it’s leaning, and if there are any hazards.
• Ensure you have the equipment and expertise needed to fell the tree.
• Plan and clear more than one escape route.
• Make the felling cuts by cutting the notch cut, followed by the bore or back cut and use an escape route to safety.

Is tree felling illegal?

It is illegal to cut down some trees without a felling licence. Anyone planning to cut down a protected tree must obtain permission before work begins. The courts can prosecute all parties involved in illegal tree felling without a licence in the UK.

What is the 5 15 90 rule?

90 percent of tree felling accidents occur within 15 seconds of the tree starting to fall, and within 5 feet of the trunk. This is known as the “90-15-5 rule.” Don’t be a victim of the 90 15 5 rule.