Snedding is the removal of branches from a felled tree. Snedding of conifers, which have many small radial branches, is most safely done by hand rather than with a chainsaw. On large broadleaves it may be best to clear away the small branches by hand, and then get a chainsaw operator to sned the larger limbs.

Trees should be snedded and the brushwood disposed of at the time of felling, and usually cross-cutting is best done at this time as well. This avoids a hazardous pile-up of stems and tangled branches.

Note the following safety points:

  • Always work in a clear area. Do not climb through brushwood to get to the main branches.
  • Make sure you have an escape route, as a heavy branch could cause injury as it falls.
  • Clear the ground of brushwood as you go along.
  • If on a slope, always work on the uphill side so that if the tree rolls it will not trap you.
  • Do not climb up onto the trunk to cut off vertical branches or those that are hard to reach.
  • Aim to clear the upward projecting branches as soon as you can safely reach them, to reduce the weight which might otherwise cause the trunk to roll over. Leave the underneath branches until last.
  • Do not cut any branches which the fallen tree is resting on, as they are under great pressure. If you cut one, it may either spring back and injure you, or cause the trunk to move suddenly.

Basic snedding

The following points apply to small hardwood trees and most conifers. A light axe or billhook can be used on branches under about 25mm (1”) diameter, although some workers may prefer to use loppers. A 530mm (21”) bowsaw is suitable for branches over 25mm (1”), and is easier for less skilled workers to use than an axe or billhook. However the saw is slower and can be more awkward, and tends to snag on thin, whippy branches and twigs.

To use a light axe or billhook:

  • When possible, stand on the opposite side of the stem to the branches which you are cutting, so that the stem protects your legs and feet. This means you have to cross frequently from one side of the stem to the other to cut branches in different positions. Take great care if you have to stand on the same side as cutting.
  • Never stand astride the tree to sned it. Always stand so the impact of the axe or billhook is made well away from your legs, so that you won’t be hurt if the tool bounces from the cut. Always make sure there is a clear path for your swing, as even a small twig can deflect the tool and cause injury.
  • Sned from the base of the tree towards the tip.
  • Leave until last the underneath branches, or any that are supporting the tree or stopping it from rolling.
  • A full swing is seldom necessary when snedding small branches. Hold an axe as shown below. With your hands part-way up the haft. You don’t need to move your hands for the return stroke.
    Snedding with an axe
  • For greatest control over the cut, swing the tool in a very shallow arc so that the side of the blade, near its back edge, glances against the stem just before the blade cuts into the branch. This prevents the cutting edge from digging in. This swing is easy to exaggerate and requires some practice to master, but gives the best results.
    Correct swing of axe
  • Sned flush to the main stem. Snags make the log difficult and dangerous to handle, and tear up the ground if the log is dragged away.
  • When all the branches except those underneath or supporting the tree are cut, place the tool out of the way. Roll the tree over from the tip, using the remaining branches as handles. If the tree is too heavy for this, lever it over with a pole. Sned the remaining branches.

Larger trees

Large broadleaves, trees with branches under stress or trees on slopes require particular care.

  • Ensure the tree is stable before you start, and that there are no bystanders.
  • Sned from the outer branches into the main limbs, and from the lower limbs towards the limbs at the top. The aim is to lessen the weight of the limbs by removing the smaller branches first. Cut to suitable lengths as you work along the branch, while it is still held firmly. Use a bowsaw for larger limbs.
    Cutting sequence for large broadleaved tree
  • Estimate the stresses in large limbs. You may have to treat them as windblown trees. Remember to make a small cut on the compression side first, before making the main cut on the tension side. Take care, as the tree may move or the branch may spring back as you cut it.
  • Remove the upward projecting branches as soon as you have safe access to them, to reduce the risk of the trunk rolling over.
  • Large limbs projecting upward from the trunk should be treated as if they are standing trees. Fell each in one piece as you would a standing tree, and then sned it on the ground. Do not climb onto the trunk to fell upright branches, in case the trunk moves.
  • When the trunk is supported off the ground by two or more branches, roll the trunk over by pushing it away from you, then cut off the remaining branches.
  • If the supporting branches make it impossible to roll the trunk over, decide whether the limbs are safe to sned in place. Make sure your escape route is clear. Cut the limbs with an axe, and never work under the tree. Watch it carefully, and when it starts to shift, get out of the way. Then winch or roll the trunk over to expose the remaining limbs.
  • Do not attempt to deal with trees which are held up too high by supporting branches to be snedded safely. Such trees should be dealt with by specialists.

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