Cut Down Tree Branches

I learned this from a local county extension agent.

Cut down tree branches. Work carefully starting at the base of the tree. You re bound to knock a branch loose and have it fall on you. It will help if you know some of the technical vocabulary. Once the tree is down remove the branches called limbing.

It is obviously leaning in one direction or heavily loaded with branches on one side. Make many cuts and cross cuts on the top of the trunk with a chain saw or circular saw in a crisscross pattern. Dead branches that are broken but attached or that are actually broken off and supported by other branches. Every piece of equipment used in this process is called a widowmaker.

As soon as you know how to cut down a tree people will sense it and constantly ask you to cut down trees for them. You can cut downward with the bottom of the bar known as cutting with a pulling chain since the chain pulls the saw out from you or upward with the top of the bar known as cutting with a pushing chain since the chain pushes the saw toward you. Don t cut it down if you see. I can t tell you how to cut the tree down cheaply but i can tell you how to remove the stump without paying for a stump grinder.

The county extension on tree removal.