Lumberjack

How to cut down a tree without a chainsaw?

I have this tree in the back of my yard, that is old and dry. It is horrible and I want to cut it down but I don't have a chainsaw. It is not really large, I would say medium sized and the diameter of the tree is about 2 feet. Any suggestions? Thanks. Not 2 feet sorry about 1 foot!

Public Comments

1. Axe. Hatchet. Rent a chainsaw.
2. An axe will work well on 1 foot diameter. It shouldn't take long.
3. Use a hand saw. cut a v at the bottom then cut from the other side. Were you cut the v that's the way it will fall.
4. A two-foot diameter tree has "CHAINSAW ME" written all over it! You could revert back to stone ages where lumberjacks used the push-pull saws, but trying to use an axe or a maul would be too much work! Find a friend, even if it's his/her friend who has the chainsaw and spend no more than 15 minutes cutting. Good luck if you venture the ole fashion way!
5. Get a Beaver for a pet
6. Rent a chainsaw. You not only have to cut it down, but cut it up once it's down for removal. Using an axe or handsaw for this will take forever and wear you out. A one-day rental should cost about $30-40 bucks, less if you rent it for a half-day.
7. Axe...Tree pruner...hand saw...hook a chain from it to a truck and pull....take your pick!!!
8. Don't remove the tree without a chainsaw, you'll kill yourself, or get a back injury. Rent a chainsaw if you have to, just follow these simple instructions. Before you cut, stop. Look at the tree. Make your best guess as to what side the tree is heavyest on, which way it wants to fall. The direction the tree wants to fall is the "front". You don't want to be "in front", obviously. Down low on the "front" of the tree make a horizontal cut 40% through the diameter of the tree, then make a diagonal cut above the horizontal cut, so the cuts meet at the 40% mark. This is called a "pie cut". Do NOT cut much more than 40% through the diameter. After you make the pie cut, stand in back, and off to the side, and make a horizontal cut 2-3 inches above the plane of the pie cut. Make this "back cut" parallel to the pie cut. As soon as the tree starts to tip, stop cutting, and calmly step back away from the tree, and watch in amazement as the tree falls neatly, right where you want it. Slowly and carefully cut the stump flat, close to the ground. Don't get the saw in the dirt. Then take your chainsaw and cut the tree up into pieces that you can carry comfortably. Never use a dull chain. You can tell if the chain is dull if you really have to force it. A good chain works for you, not against you. Always try to keep your left hand firmly but loosely on top of the saw. Seriously, trying to remove a 2-foot tree without a chainsaw is insane, don't do it.
9. Ask some gardeners.
10. Axe stick of dynamite sawsall cross-cut saw hand saw nail file bow saw all of the above will work but, lol will break your back. And once its down what then? Cut it up with an axe? It will be more horrible laying in your back yard. Do yourself a favor rent a chainsaw or call a tree service.