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Proper Preparation

Our 7 best tips for safe, efficient tree limbing

When working with chainsaws, limbing is usually the operation that requires the most time and effort. In other words you have a lot to gain by learning a good technique.

If you are a beginner at limbing, you should proceed slowly and methodically, gradually increasing the tempo. And always remember: if your back starts to get tired, this can be an indication that you need to fine-tune your technique. Here are some basic rules for safe, efficient limbing.

1. The right height

The best working height for limbing is when the tree is placed from your waist to your knee height. You can achieve the right working height by trying to fell a tree so that it falls over other felled trees, logs, stones or elevations in the terrain. Remember to let your knees do the bending – not your back.


If you are a beginner at limbing, you should proceed slowly and methodically, gradually increasing the tempo. And always remember: if your back starts to get tired, this can be an indication that you need to fine-tune your technique. Here are some basic rules for safe, efficient limbing.

2. Steady and secure

Stand securely on the left side of the trunk with your feet apart at a 45-degree angle to the trunk. Work with the saw close to your body and keep your stance stable in two directions. Make sure you have an ample reach, so that you can keep the risky business of moving your feet while limbing to a minimum.


3. Keep it down

To avoid accidents, it’s important not to lift the chainsaw away from the trunk more than necessary. Carry the chainsaw as little as possible and use it as a lever, with the saw body resting on the trunk or your leg. Limbing will be easier and more effective with a short guide bar (13”-15”).


Limbing trees

4. Controlled motion

Always hold the guide bar on the other side of the trunk when you move your feet. The chain must be static when you move. Hold the saw by both handles when moving short distances, never by the rear handle only. For longer movement, you should activate the chain brake and carry the saw by the front handle.

5. Beware of kickback

Avoid cutting with the guide bar tip. Your thumbs and fingers must always be wrapped around the handles during limbing work. Use a guide bar length that is adapted to the dimension of the tree.

6. Dodge the pinches

Determine how the branches are tensioned and cut on the opposite side of the branch, where the guide bar is not likely to be pinched under the weight of the branch. If you’re unsure cut the branch in stages, from the outside in towards the trunk.

7. Brake before branch-removal

Let the chainsaw rest on the trunk while you remove branches and firewood with your right hand. First, release the throttle and throttle lock and activate the chain brake. If the chainsaw is equipped with TrioBrakeTM, it’s even easier to activate the chain brake before removing the branches.

Cutting downwards, so that the chain tries to pull the saw towards the trunk, is known as cutting with a pulling chain. Cutting from beneath, so that the chain tries to push the saw towards you, is known as a pushing chain.

Limbing the different sides of the tree trunk

  1. When limbing the right side, make sure to stand of the left side of the trunk. Let the saw rest against the trunk with the guide bar on the right side. Saw with a pushing or pulling chain. Support your right leg against the trunk for extra balance.
  2. When limbing the top, let the guide bar rest on the trunk. Saw with a pushing chain. Place your right leg against the saw body. Cut from beneath so that the chain will try to push the saw towards you. This is known as cutting with a pushing chain.
  3. When limbing on the left side, balance the saw against the trunk and one leg. Saw with a pulling or a pushing chain.

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