Overview of Tree Felling
Tree felling? Yes cutting down trees – that’s what we provide at Treetops. As tree felling professionals we are trusted by Councils, Housing Associations, Contractors, Developers and individuals to safety and efficiently manage their trees and wider vegetation.
Definition and Importance of Tree Felling
Tree felling refers to the process of cutting down trees to ground level, leaving the stump and root system intact. This practice serves several crucial purposes in forestry and land management. The Forestry Commission in the UK requires a felling licence for most trees to protect Britain’s woodlands from unnecessary removal.
Tree felling is vital for harvesting timber for construction, furniture, and paper products. It’s also essential for managing forest health by removing diseased or damaged trees that might otherwise spread infections.
After severe weather events, professional tree fellers remove trees damaged beyond recovery by extreme winds or fires. This prevents potential hazards to people and property. In forestry management, selective felling helps maintain biodiversity and supports sustainable woodland growth.
Types of Tree Fellers
Professional tree fellers can be categorised based on their methods and equipment. Traditional tree fellers use manual tools like chainsaws and axes, relying on precision cutting techniques to control the direction of the fall. These skilled workers often handle sensitive urban environments or heritage trees requiring careful removal.
Mechanical tree fellers employ specialised machinery such as harvesters and feller-bunchers that can cut, delimb, and process trees efficiently. Companies like Treefellers in Chester specialise in this approach, using advanced equipment for large-scale vegetation clearance projects.
In commercial forestry operations, tree fellers often work as part of integrated teams. They implement various systems where trees are felled, de-limbed and cross-cut at the stump. Only marketable products are then extracted, maximising efficiency and reducing waste in the process.
Tree Feller Qualifications and Training
Professional tree fellers require specific qualifications and comprehensive training to safely and effectively perform their duties. Recognised certifications validate skills and enhance career prospects in arboriculture. As we work with public and government bodies – we have to ensure the highest levels of training and accreditation.
Accreditation Bodies and Certifications
In the UK, several organisations provide accredited qualifications for tree fellers. Lantra offers the Level 3 Award in Felling and Processing Trees over 380mm, which demonstrates competence in essential forestry operations. This qualification is highly regarded within the industry.
The NPTC Level 2 Award in Felling and Processing Trees up to 380mm focuses on directional felling techniques appropriate to tree size, weight and condition. This certification is particularly suitable for novice chainsaw operators.
For those working with larger trees, the Level 3 Certificate of Competence in Felling and Processing Large Trees Over 760mm provides advanced skills.
Safety Training for Tree Fellers
Safety training forms the cornerstone of tree feller education. Comprehensive courses cover risk assessment, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and emergency protocols. You should master these elements before attempting any tree felling operations.
Specialised training addresses the unique hazards of tree felling, including:
- Assessment of tree condition and lean
- Identification of potential falling zones
- Safe chainsaw operation techniques
- Proper escape route planning
Tree Felling Techniques and Best Practices
At Treetops safety comes first! For us, our customers and the wider public. Tree felling has many risks – so really needs a professional approach and requires proper planning, technique, and equipment. Following established protocols ensures the safety of the feller and precise directional control of the falling tree.
Assessing the Tree and Environment
Before cutting any tree, you must thoroughly evaluate both the tree and surrounding area. Look upward to identify hazards such as dead branches, widow-makers, or lodged objects that could fall during cutting.
Check for power lines, buildings, fences, and other structures that may impact your felling plan. Wind direction and strength significantly affect where the tree will fall, so factor weather conditions into your assessment.
Determine the tree’s natural lean by stepping back and examining its crown and trunk. This helps you plan the fall direction. A tree with uneven weight distribution requires special techniques to avoid accidents.
Create escape routes at 45-degree angles away from the intended fall line. Clear these paths of obstacles before starting any cuts.
Methods of Cutting and Felling Trees
The conventional notch and back cut remains the foundation of safe tree felling. Begin by making a face notch (30-45 degrees) on the side facing the intended fall direction. The notch should extend about 1/3 into the trunk.
Next, make your back cut slightly above the notch’s base. Leave a hinge of uncut wood between the notch and back cut—this controls the tree’s fall direction.
For difficult trees with backward lean, use wedges to assist the fall. Insert a wedge into the back cut with its flat side facing you, then drive it in firmly with a hammer.
Bore cutting offers greater control for trees with tension. This involves:
- Create a standard face notch
- Bore through the centre of the trunk
- Cut backward, leaving a strap of wood
- Finally, sever the strap from a safe position
Always maintain firm footing and a clear grip on your saw. Move to your escape route as soon as the tree begins falling.
Legislation and Environmental Considerations
Tree felling operations in the UK are governed by strict regulations designed to protect woodlands and maintain environmental balance. These regulations outline when permission is required and what environmental assessments must be conducted before felling can proceed.
UK Regulatory Framework
In the UK, most tree felling activities require a felling licence from the Forestry Commission. You may fell up to 5 cubic metres of growing trees per calendar quarter on your property without a licence, but no more than 2 cubic metres can be sold.
Trees in private gardens generally don’t require licences, but those in other locations typically do.
Many trees are legally protected through:
- Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs)
- Conservation Area designations
- Planning conditions
- Restrictive covenants
For street trees on urban roads, local highway authorities must consult the public before felling. This requirement is part of the Environment Act 2021.
If you’re planning to fell trees, check with your local authority first to determine if any protections apply to your specific trees.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Before felling begins, you must consider the environmental impact of removing trees from the landscape. In many cases, formal Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are required for larger-scale operations.
These assessments evaluate:
- Wildlife habitats that might be disturbed
- Ecological connectivity between wooded areas
- Soil erosion risks following tree removal
- Carbon storage implications
The timing of felling must account for nesting birds, protected species, and seasonal factors. Under UK wildlife laws, it’s an offence to disturb nesting birds.
Replacement planting is often required as a condition of felling licences. You’ll need to detail plans for replanting or woodland regeneration to ensure long-term environmental sustainability and maintain tree cover.
Role of Technology in Tree Felling
Technology has revolutionised modern tree felling operations, making them safer, more efficient and environmentally friendly. Today’s arborists and forestry professionals often use sophisticated tools that improve precision while reducing risks associated with this dangerous profession.
Advancements in Felling Equipment
Modern tree felling equipment has evolved dramatically in recent years. Laser rangefinders and GPS systems now enable you to calculate a tree’s height, weight and fall radius with remarkable accuracy. This precision helps prevent damage to surrounding structures and improves worker safety significantly.
Specialised chainsaws with anti-kickback features and ergonomic designs reduce operator fatigue and minimise accident risks. Some models now include sensors that detect dangerous situations and automatically activate chain brakes.
Virtual Reality (VR) training programmes allow you to practise chainsaw operations in a risk-free environment before tackling actual trees. These simulations create realistic scenarios where you can master techniques without danger.
Stump grinders with advanced grinding technologies can efficiently remove stumps to ground level, completing the felling process with minimal environmental disruption.
360° Panoramic Images
The integration of 360° panoramic images has transformed site assessment and planning phases of tree felling operations. Using specialised cameras, you can capture comprehensive visual data of the entire worksite from multiple angles.
These panoramic images allow for thorough risk assessments before any cutting begins. You can identify potential hazards such as power lines, structures, or unusual tree growth patterns that might affect the felling direction.
When shared digitally with your team, these images ensure everyone understands the site layout and planned approach. This improves communication and reduces misunderstandings that could lead to accidents.
The technology also creates valuable documentation for client approval, regulatory compliance, and project records. You can review these images alongside LiDAR data to create detailed 3D models of trees, helping identify weak branches or hidden defects.
Use of Drones and Aerial Surveillance
Drones have become invaluable tools in modern tree felling operations. These aerial vehicles provide you with overhead views that were previously impossible to obtain without expensive helicopter surveys.
By deploying drones equipped with high-resolution cameras, you can assess tree conditions in hard-to-reach areas without climbing risks. This technology is particularly useful for examining the crown of tall trees or those growing in challenging locations.
Thermal imaging cameras mounted on drones help you identify diseased sections of trees that might affect felling strategies. The aerial footage also assists in planning the safest felling direction and identifying potential landing zones.
Drones can monitor operations in real-time, providing vectors and video feeds to ground teams. This bird’s-eye perspective enhances safety by alerting workers to changing conditions or unexpected hazards during the felling process.
We will always assess the job and ensure we have the right equipment to work safely and efficiently.
Tree Felling Services in North England and North Wales
Treetops provides professional tree felling services across North England and North Wales, serving property owners who need to remove hazardous, diseased, or problematic trees. Our specialists combine technical expertise with proper equipment to ensure safe and efficient tree removal across residential and commercial properties throughout Lancashire, Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire, and North Wales.
Our Tree Felling Services
Our comprehensive tree removal services cover key locations including:
In Lancashire: Preston, Blackburn, Burnley, Blackpool, Lancaster, Chorley, Accrington, and the surrounding areas.
In Greater Manchester: Manchester, Bolton, Wigan, Rochdale, Oldham, Bury, Stockport, Sale, Altrincham, and surrounding metropolitan areas.
In South Yorkshire: Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, Doncaster, and neighbouring communities.
In North Wales: Wrexham, Flintshire, Denbighshire, Conwy, Gwynedd, and the Isle of Anglesey.
With extensive coverage across these regions, Treetops maintains teams of qualified arborists ready to respond to tree felling requirements. Our local knowledge ensures we understand the specific challenges and regulations affecting tree work in each area.
Professional tree felling services throughout North England and North Wales.
