How to Cut Down Trees without a Chainsaw?

[owsnap]

well Decided to not waste time and money buying gear I will probably never need in future, and just went for it,
sawed down 8 apple trees this size with just a handsaw, took probably around 15-20minutes for each to saw all around the trunk and pull them down with a rope. ( thanks Drphill for remainding to use rope, almost forgot about it..)

Also sawed down around 250-300 smaller 5-10cm diameter trees all around the property with the same handsaw, 3-5 swipes per small tree and it was done,I doubt I would have done it much faster with a chainsaw, feeling exhausted as f now however.

Would have been quicker with a first fix saw? Look like a Universal or second fix to me from the photo

Universal, probably would have been faster but that's what I had.
but honestly these disposable saws nowadays are so sharp and good even universal cuts through wood like butter

 

[lurker]

feeling exhausted as f now however]

I am exhausted just thinking about it

But well done

 

[cutting42]

well Decided to not waste time and money buying gear I will probably never need in future, and just went for it,
sawed down 8 apple trees this size with just a handsaw, took probably around 15-20minutes for each to saw all around the trunk and pull them down with a rope. ( thanks Drphill for remainding to use rope, almost forgot about it..)

Also sawed down around 250-300 smaller 5-10cm diameter trees all around the property with the same handsaw, 3-5 swipes per small tree and it was done,I doubt I would have done it much faster with a chainsaw, feeling exhausted as f now however.

You must be the only Finn in Finland without a chainsaw. I work in Sweden a lot and as soon as you go north of Stockholm its like a pocket knife there, they all have them.

Still you did very well with that saw. I often have the handtool revelation when a powered tool won't do what I want or the battery is drained. I get out the hand saw and they are surprisingly fast.

 

[finneyb]

If you want to replant - better to pull them out rather than cut down otherwise you are left with the roots to lift. If you pull them out the roots should come with the trunk

Or am I too late?

Brian

 

[Racers]

You need one of these to get rid of the stumps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVAJT2ThP-4


Pete

 

[Ian down london way]

Whilst I have my own electric chain saw, I also find it rather scary. I did also get an alligator chain saw, which although it can only do branches, is hugely easier and safer to use. I expect you will want to chop the trees up some after you've cut them down, so this kind of device may be useful.

 

[Rhyolith]

I am with a volunteer group who have to cut down trees like this without powertools on a regular basis. I have spent some time with a tree surgeon working out the best way to go about this and then put it into practice.

A felling axe is great if you know how to use one, but not many people do. Also need a good axe to use in the first place, which does not come cheap or easily second hand (seriosuly don't use an old one before checking the handle and if its fitting well to the head!).

Bow saws are the best way, a good 30" bow saw (Bahco are the best nowadays) will be easier than that panel saw. £20 is all you need for that.

Sorry if this is repeating anything, there were too many posts for me to read through now.