Tree felling is a forestry term. It refers to the process of cutting down a tree. This is often made to seem easier than it really is. Tree felling can be a very dangerous task, which can result in serious injury or death. Many people realize this and choose to leave this work to professionals.
Tree felling is commonly performed with a chainsaw. This machine's cutting ability is made possible by a rotating chain. The use of such a machine is one of the reasons why felling a tree can be such a dangerous task.
Cutting one tree can take a lot of work and planning. First, a person must be prepared. He should begin by developing a plan for how a tree will fall. A tree should be cut so when it falls it does not come into contact with anything else, including other trees. To develop a good plan, it can be necessary to consider a number of factors, such as the slope of the ground, the lean of the tree, and the height of the tree.
There are different techniques that can be employed for tree felling. All trees may not be able to be cut in the same direction. Different types of notches may need to be used. Determining how a tree should be cut may be a matter of professional experience.
Tree felling can also be made dangerous by situations that occur when the tree falls. Such hazards include lodging. Sometimes a tree does not have a clear path to the ground. Instead it may fall and get lodged in another tree or on a structure. This creates a hazard that should not be ignored.
A tree often falls with a great deal of force. This can involve the uncontrolled movement of various types of debris. For example, limbs may break and fly through the air if they come into contact with other things as the tree is falling. This can put the logger or those in the surrounding area at risk.
For these reasons, and due to the risk of other hazards, extreme attention should be paid by everyone who is in the vicinity of tree felling. It is also important that the proper protective gear be worn by all who are in the vicinity. There are many items designed especially for those in the forestry industry, such as protective chaps and steel-toe boots.