To Fell a Tree A Complete Guide to Tree Felling and Woodcutting Methods

Working with a chainsaw in the woods can be very dangerous. This book reduces that danger. The problem is that many novices - like I was about a decade ago - go into the woods on their own with no real appreciation of the dangers they will encounter. I was fortunate enough not to have any serious injuries - although I came close too many times. Others were less lucky. Had I read this book before I took my chainsaw into the woods to drop some trees I would have reduced my danger significantly. I'm sorry I didn't, not only because I took unnecessary risks but also because I used practices and techniques that I now know were often suboptimal, some even bordering on counterproductive. A great book for the novice who wants to go into the woods with a chainsaw.

Great book with tons of useful info regarding cutting & felling. If you haven't already, you might wanna pickup not only this book, but also another book written by this author called "Knots at Work". Although clearly a well-respected authority in the field of arboriculture, he does an excellent job of explaining the technicalities in ways even a dumbo like me can understand. I've read this book many times and I've learned many new things each time I read it. The value of this book far exceeds the cost. Highly recommend.

Well written. Well organized. Concisely packed with useful information. Usually when I get a book of this type I find that there are too many words and not enough information and I end up skipping big parts. This book is an exception. Very well written. I wished the author writes more! Packed with useful information. Very well organized. Based on lifetime of experience. Also, the illustrations are very nice and the illustrator Bryan Kotwica has a cool last name what in Polish means “anchor”!

An arborist recommended this book to me. It is very detailed, simple, and easy to understand, and I would definitely recommend this book, along with other books by this author(which I've also read).

This is a great book for those that want to be able to fell a tree safely. It is Jepson's second book and is written in a highly readable style that applies to both the professional and landowner. It starts with a chapter on equipment needed, including safety gear and also covers optional equipment that either makes the job easier of has a special purpose. The book then goes on to evaluating the tree the want to fell and the site it stands on. How to plan to bring a tree down safely and where you want it to land is covered in detail also with planning escape routes in case something goes wrong. The book then goes on about actually felling the tree, detailing various cutting methods and why you would use them. I will say at this point that the book only covers cutting trees from the ground. Climbing a tree and making cuts while in the tree is a job best done by trained professionals. The second part of the book covers analyzing your work once the tree is down (learn from your mistakes), limbing and bucking the trunk and what to do with the wood. The book finishes with a nice section on firewood, covering how to cut and stack it as well as a short chart on the properties of wood as firewood. This is recommended reading and a great addition to your do it yourself library.

Informative book about tree felling. I wish it was hardcover or spiral bound to make it easier to review while working.

I enjoyed reading it front-to-back. I also use it as a reference manual and jump to particular spots as needed. I have a densely populated property with severe learners, hangers, and diseased trees. I've been using a chainsaw for 5 years but mostly for bucking and felling smaller stuff. Now I have the confidence to take down larger and more complicated trees while minimizing my safety risks. Well written. Money well spent for this noob.

Jeff's knowledge gained from a lifetime of experience certainly has kept me safe. His ability to plainly describe tree cutting mechanics makes this a must have for anyone - from suburban homeowner to an experienced forestry professional - who has to fell a tree and process it once it is on the ground. I keep this book with me in my gear to gain reminders when I find myself in troublesome situations. Spend the money, save your health, learn from a professional, and always look up first!