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

Excellent!! This rather short book presents all the necessary aspects for understanding the fundamental principles of tree feeling. It is also a pleasant read, and the illustrations are very well done. Thank you to the authors!

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.

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!

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.

This is a very good and well written book with useful basic and mid level information on cutting down trees. It is a well illustrated and covers a lot of topics. It is written from an arborist's perspective and deals mainly with tree removal in residential areas or firewood cutting. I feel this book has most information that a do it yourselfer, land owner or landscaper needs to know on cutting. It is also helpful for people who harvest their own firewood. It does not get into very technical detail on rigging or deal with climbing at all so if this is what you are hoping for, the information on this aspect is just the basics. This book pushes open face cuts which I use when I need the tree to stay connected to the stump but doesn't mention the commonly used humbolt face cut. If you are looking for a much more technical guide on contract cutting and big timber cutting you would be better with "Professional Timber Falling, a Procedural Approach". That book is much more geared to the pro faller, but this is a great book too. Bear in mind it is from mainly a residential removal perspective and is not really geared towards a timber harvester or pulp wood cutter.

Good reference for cutting a tree

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.

Informative and useful..good quality

I bought this for my brother-in-law because I was sure he was gonna fell the big maple in his yard right on top of his Chrysler BUT GUESS WHAT? Instead he accidentally dropped it right on his neighbors Tesla! I laughed so hard I thought I was gonna barf! Money well spent.

This book is a treasure to anyone who owns a chainsaw and ambition. The illustrations are as good as it gets.

Nice book

Bought as a present for someone working in the business it and has been very much appreciated. Very informative and i Would recommend to others out there. Kept in the truck at all times.