Chainsaws are the primary cutting tool in tree removal. Using the wrong saw increases fatigue, wastes time, and creates unnecessary risk. Professional arborists carry multiple saws matched to specific tasks. Selection, maintenance, and understanding the tool’s physics all contribute to safe, efficient work.
Sizing the Saw: Bar Length and Power
Two classifications serve different removal functions.
Top Handle Saws are compact, lightweight designs for use in the tree. They allow one-handed positioning (though cutting requires two hands) and maneuver easily in canopy positions. Engine size typically ranges from 25-40cc. Bar lengths run 12-16 inches. The Stihl MS 201T and Husqvarna T540 represent industry standards for professional climbing saws.
Rear Handle Saws are ground-based tools for felling and bucking. They offer more power and longer bars but are too heavy and awkward for climbing. Engine sizes range from 40-90cc with bar lengths from 16-36 inches.
Bar Length Selection follows a simple guideline: the bar should be approximately 2 inches longer than the cutting diameter. A 20-inch diameter tree is best cut with a 22-inch bar. Skilled fellers can fell trees up to twice their bar length using bore cutting technique, but this requires advanced skill.
Chain Geometry: Chisel vs. Semi-Chisel
Chain tooth shape affects cutting speed and durability.
Full Chisel chains have square-cornered teeth that cut aggressively. They remove material faster than any other design but dull quickly in dirty conditions. Dirt, sand, and bark debris rapidly degrade the sharp corners. Full chisel is best for clean felling cuts through straight grain.
Semi-Chisel chains have rounded corners that cut slower but maintain sharpness longer. They tolerate dirty bark, sandy conditions, and occasional soil contact that would destroy full chisel edges. For general removal work involving varied conditions, semi-chisel provides better overall value.
| Chain Type | Cutting Speed | Durability | Best Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Chisel | Fastest | Lower | Clean felling |
| Semi-Chisel | Moderate | Higher | General removal |
| Low-Profile | Slowest | Highest | Homeowner use |
Chain Sharpening
Dull chains create danger and inefficiency.
Sharpening Frequency depends on conditions. A well-maintained chain needs sharpening every 2-3 tanks of fuel under normal conditions. A single contact with dirt or a nail can require immediate resharpening.
Angle Consistency matters because each tooth must maintain identical geometry. Filing at inconsistent angles causes the saw to pull left or right, increasing kickback risk and making straight cuts impossible.
Depth Gauge (Raker) Adjustment often gets overlooked. The small humps ahead of each cutting tooth control how deep the tooth bites. As teeth are filed shorter through repeated sharpening, rakers must be filed down to maintain cutting depth. Ignoring rakers causes saws to “float” on the surface without cutting.
Tension and Fluid Maintenance
Daily maintenance prevents premature failure.
Chain Tension should allow the chain to be pulled from the bar and lifted 1/4 inch at the midpoint, then snap back when released. Chains stretch during use and must be retensioned. Hot chains loosen; always check tension before the first cut and periodically during work.
Bar Oil lubricates the chain’s passage around the bar. Most saws consume approximately one tank of bar oil per tank of fuel. Running dry burns bar rails and chain drive links within minutes. In winter, thinner bar oil prevents sluggish flow in cold temperatures.
Air Filter Cleaning prevents sawdust accumulation from restricting airflow. Clogged filters cause running lean (insufficient fuel), damaging pistons. Professional use requires filter checks every fuel fill.
Safety Features
Modern saws include multiple safety systems.
Chain Brake stops the chain almost instantly when activated. Two mechanisms trigger the brake: manual engagement by the left hand pushing the front guard forward, and inertia activation when the saw kicks back. The brake engaging during kickback can prevent the chain from reaching the operator’s face.
Chain Catch is a metal stud below the bar that catches a derailed chain before it reaches the operator’s hand.
Throttle Interlock prevents accidental throttle engagement. The top lever must be depressed before the throttle will function.
Daily Testing should verify brake function before any cutting begins.
Bar Pinching and Retrieval
Pinched bars occur when wood closes on the bar during cutting.
Compression Pinching happens when cutting through wood that is sagging. The cut closes as gravity pulls the wood down. Preventable by cutting from the opposite side or supporting the piece.
Tension Pinching occurs when cutting through bent or loaded wood that springs together. Identifying wood under tension before cutting prevents this scenario.
Retrieval requires shutting off the saw, then using a second saw or hand saw to free the bar. Never try to yank or force a pinched saw free; this damages the bar and can cause injury if it suddenly releases.
Battery Electric Saws: The Professional Shift
Electrification has reached professional-grade power.
Current Capabilities include saws like the Stihl MSA 300 and Husqvarna 540i that match 50cc gas saws in cutting performance. These are genuine production tools, not consumer compromises.
Advantages include instant starting, dramatically lower noise (enabling early morning work in noise-sensitive neighborhoods), zero exhaust, and lower vibration that reduces hand-arm vibration syndrome over careers.
Limitations center on runtime and recharging. Most professional battery saws deliver 45-90 minutes per battery. Large removal jobs require multiple batteries and charging infrastructure.
Adoption Trajectory shows increasing professional use, particularly for residential work where noise complaints limit gas saw operation times.
Sources:
- Chain geometry standards: Oregon cutting systems technical documentation
- Maintenance intervals: Stihl and Husqvarna professional operator manuals
- Safety features: ANSI B175.1 gasoline-powered chain saw requirements
- Battery saw specifications: Manufacturer performance testing data