I'm a Lumberjack: A Guide to Tree Removal

Step 1: Remove Low-Hanging Branches

Use the chainsaw to remove any branches within easy reach. Pull them well out of the area to keep them from getting underfoot while working.

Step 2: Prepare to Topple

Knot the rope around the tree, as high up as possible while still remaining around a strong part of the trunk. Tie the rope just over a large branch to keep it from slipping. Cut a notch out of the tree about a foot above the ground. Cut on the side you want the tree to fall towards.The notch should go through more than half of the diameter of the tree, but less than 2/3 of its width. Do this with a chainsaw.

Step 3: Timber!

This is where you need two people. While one person pulls on the rope in the direction you want the tree to go down (remember, this is where the notch is pointing to), the other goes at the tree from the other side, level with the notch, with the chainsaw. When the saw goes through enough tree, it will go down. Pulling on the rope hard at the same time ensures that it will go down in a semi-controlled fashion.

Step 4: Firewood

No matter what you do with the remains, it’s probably necessary to chop all the branches off the main trunk anyways. As always, the chainsaw is great for this. Once the branches are removed and pulled aside, it’s simple to turn the trunk into firewood, great if you’re into camping. Just cut the trunk horizontally in 1-1/2 to 2-foot sections. Store with at least 6" of empty space between the logs and any bulding.

Step 5: Disposal

Depending on where you live, how you can get rid of yard waste will vary. Some towns have complimentary yard waste collection in the spring, though restrictions on how debris are bagged can make for a few hours’ more work. Otherwise, you need a trailer or some other way to get refuse to the dump. For yard waste collection, my town required sticks in garbage bags and branches no more than 8’ long and bundled together. For this heavy-duty clippers, light rope and construction-strength garbage bags are key.

Having Two People Makes It Easier

This is definitely a job that needs two people now and again. Toppling a 15-foot-high tree takes a lot of skill at aiming or someone pulling on a rope. Serious trouble will arise if you misfire and send it through the living room window, so just have someone along to help out and haul branches out of the way.

Anyone Can Do It

Given ample precautions and a decent knowledge of what you’re doing, anyone can take down a 20’ tree. Seriously. I am not a lumberjack, I’m not even particularly good at hands-on jobs and have little muscle mass, but the advent of power tools and SUVs makes so many things possible.

Necessary Items

• Electric chainsaw (runs $60-$80)
• Oil (to keep said chainsaw lubricated)
• Chainsaw file (for when it gets dull)
• Heavy-duty gloves
• Rope (at least 25 feet long)
• Axe

6. Tree Stump Removal

By far the hardest part of getting a tree out of the ground is removing its stump. Aspen trees have the nasty trick of an extensive root system, which it employs to spawn miniature versions of itself everywhere (another reason aspen trees are a huge pain to own). Start by pulling as much dirt and debris from around the base of the trunk as possible. Use an axe to chop away tree roots as they are exposed. Remove more dirt. Chop off more roots. Repeat.

More About Tree Stumps

After a second weekend of ripping stumps out of the ground, gaining a cherry-red sunburn in the process (wear sunscreen!), here are some more hints to removing them.

Stump killer – will help prevent new sprouts from popping up in the location where you just took out the tree.

Aside from tying the tree stump to something large (an SUV, for example), it is nearly impossible to get the stump out of the ground on your own. If you’re going to go for this method, be really careful about where the car is pointing.

Also make sure your knots will hold. I had to fall on my butt twice before finding a knot that wouldn’t come undone – but better falling down than crashing the car into the neighbor’s house. Since a person pulling isn’t going to put nearly as much tension on the rope as it will have when lashed between a car and a tree stump, make sure you’re cautious while ripping it up. Again, someone to watch from the sidelines is very useful here.

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