How to Cut Trees With a Chainsaw? | Two-Cut Safety Method

The standard method for cutting trees with a chainsaw uses a two-cut felling process—face cut and back cut—backed by PPE and an escape route.

Knowing how to cut trees with a chainsaw starts with the two-cut felling process used by forestry professionals across the US. You notch the side the tree should fall toward, then cut from the opposite side while leaving a thin hinge of wood that controls the descent. Get the sequence right and the tree lands where you aimed it. Miss a step and the saw kicks back or the fall goes sideways. This article breaks down the exact procedure, the gear you need, and the safety rules that apply every time.

Cutting Trees With a Chainsaw: The Two-Cut Felling Process

Every safe felling follows the same two-part cut. The face cut removes a wedge from the fall side of the tree. The back cut, made from the opposite side, stops short to leave a hinge that steers the tree down. Here is how each cut works.

The Face Cut (Notch)

Cut a wedge facing the direction you want the tree to fall. An open-faced notch gives the most control over fall direction.

The Back Cut

That strip—the hinge—steers the fall. Cutting through it removes all control. If the tree has little lean or the blade starts binding, drive plastic wedges into the kerf. Never use metal wedges; they dull the chain.

If you’re working with smaller timber, our roundup of the best chainsaws for small trees can help you pick the right saw for the job.

Chainsaw PPE: What You Need Before You Start

Running a chainsaw without the right protection is the most common avoidable mistake. The table below lists the essential gear and what each item does.

Before starting, check that the chain is sharp, the tension is correct, and the chain brake engages smoothly. A dull chain or loose tension both increase kickback risk significantly.

Executing the Cut: Step-by-Step Procedure

Step 1: Assess the tree and surroundings. Check height, lean, and hazards like loose limbs or extra weight on one side. Fell with the natural lean if possible. Clear the base and mark two escape paths at a 45-degree angle away from the fall line, free of tripping hazards.

Step 2: Make the face cut. Remove the wedge cleanly.

Step 3: Make the back cut.

Step 4: Escape.

Common mistakes include cutting through the hinge, standing directly behind the tree, and using a dull chain. The Mississippi State Extension guide on chainsaw safety and tree felling covers the full protocol.