What Is Bucking Trees?

Getting Started

• Allow the tree to settle and all debris to land safely. Often, limbs from the tree canopy will fall off the trunk several minutes after the trunk falls. Assess the tree to be sure nothing is holding it off the ground. If the tree is hung up on another tree, a stump or any other obstacle that keeps it from completely contacting the ground, you may need a professional to handle the tree.

Limbing

• Before you can begin bucking the tree, use a chain saw to cut away branches and limbs. Try to cut the limbs off as close to the trunk as possible. If you are not thoroughly familiar with chainsaws and their potential for kickback -- jumping back from the cutting area towards the operator, stop and call in a professional. Never stand downhill from a fallen tree, as it can roll with little or no impetus and hurt you.

Bucking

• Bucking the tree simply means slicing the tree trunk into manageable chunks by cutting through the trunk at various intervals. You can buck the tree while you are limbing it if you cut off each section as soon as you finish removing the limbs in that area. Place chocks or other barrier against the trunk to help keep it from rolling as you work.

Bucking Positions

• If the tree is lying flat on the ground, start at the top and cut two-thirds through the trunk. Roll the trunk and cut the rest of the way through. Be careful not to let the chainsaw dig into the dirt and watch out for chainsaw kickback. A trunk raised at one or both ends by limb remnants or ground architecture requires two cuts, according to University of Missouri Extension. If the tree is raised on one end, cut the raised section from the bottom first, going one-third of the way up through the tree. Then, cut from the top to meet the first cut, allowing the tree section to fall away. If the tree fell across a depression in the yard, or is propped up by limb remnants on both ends, first cut through the top third of the way through the trunk, then cut from the bottom to meet the first cut.

Tips

• Always wear full safety gear. If possible, have a second person onsite to warn you if the trunk appears to be about to roll, or if falling debris is headed your way. If the tree is not too large, you can make longer cuts and use a sawbuck to hold the trunk sections securely while you cut them into smaller pieces. If you plan to use the tree for firewood, cut the tree into lengths that fit your fireplace or wood stove.