Fell and process trees up to 380mm — Lantra Awards End-Point Assessment Horticulture & Land Management Revision

    This element covers the practical skills and underpinning knowledge required to safely fell trees up to 380mm diameter using a chainsaw and process them in

    Topic Synopsis

    This element covers the practical skills and underpinning knowledge required to safely fell trees up to 380mm diameter using a chainsaw and process them into manageable lengths. Learners must demonstrate competence in site preparation, escape route provision, controlled felling techniques, branch removal (snedding) and cross-cutting, as well as the procedures for taking down hung-up trees, all while adhering to relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Fell and process trees up to 380mm

    LANTRA AWARDS
    vocational

    This element covers the practical skills and underpinning knowledge required to safely fell trees up to 380mm diameter using a chainsaw and process them into manageable lengths. Learners must demonstrate competence in site preparation, escape route provision, controlled felling techniques, branch removal (snedding) and cross-cutting, as well as the procedures for taking down hung-up trees, all while adhering to relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice.

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    Learning Outcomes
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    Assessment Guidance
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    Key Skills
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    Key Terms
    6
    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    Lantra Awards Level 2 Award In Felling and Processing Trees up to 380mm

    Topic Overview

    The Lantra Awards Level 2 Award in Felling and Processing Trees up to 380mm is a vocational qualification designed for individuals working in arboriculture, forestry, or land management. It covers the safe and efficient felling of trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) up to 380mm, along with subsequent processing operations such as delimbing, cross-cutting, and stacking. This award is essential for operators using chainsaws in a professional capacity, ensuring they meet industry standards for health and safety, environmental responsibility, and productivity.

    The qualification is structured around practical skills and underpinning knowledge, including risk assessment, selection of felling techniques (e.g., open-face notch, conventional notch), directional felling, and dealing with hung-up trees. Processing covers safe use of chainsaws for cutting timber to specified lengths, managing brash, and maintaining equipment. Mastery of these skills is critical for reducing accidents, which are common in tree work, and for maximising timber value while minimising environmental impact.

    This award fits into the wider subject of Horticulture & Land Management by providing a specialist skill set for managing trees in various settings, from commercial forestry to urban green spaces. It complements other qualifications in chainsaw maintenance, tree climbing, and first aid, forming part of a comprehensive training pathway for professional arborists and land managers. Understanding this topic ensures students can contribute safely and effectively to woodland management, timber production, and habitat conservation.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Risk assessment and emergency planning: Before any felling operation, students must conduct a thorough risk assessment, identify escape routes, and ensure a safe working area (e.g., clearing debris, marking hazards).
    • →Felling cuts and notches: Mastery of the open-face notch (70° angle) and conventional notch (45° angle) is crucial for controlling the direction of fall. The back cut must be level and above the notch hinge to prevent barber chairing.
    • →Directional felling techniques: Using the hinge wood to steer the tree, understanding lean, wind direction, and side weight. Techniques include using wedges, felling levers, and winches for difficult trees.
    • →Processing operations: Safe delimbing (cutting branches from the stem), cross-cutting (cutting the stem into logs), and stacking timber. Correct cutting sequences prevent binding of the chainsaw bar.
    • →Chainsaw safety and maintenance: Pre-use checks (chain tension, sharpness, oil levels), personal protective equipment (PPE) including helmet, visor, gloves, and chainsaw trousers, and emergency procedures for kickback or chain breakage.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Be able to work safely, Be able to fell and process trees up to 380mm, Know relevant health and safety legislation and industry good practice, Know how to fell and process trees up to 380mm, Know how to remove branches from felled trees using a chainsaw, Know how to take down hung up trees

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Award credit for demonstrating a thorough site safety check, including identification of hazards such as overhead cables, uneven terrain, or wind direction, and establishing a safe working zone.
    • Credit given for correctly assessing the tree's lean, crown weight distribution, and any defects before selecting an appropriate felling direction and escape route.
    • Evidence must show proper use of the chainsaw's chain brake, correct starting procedure, and maintenance of a firm two-handed grip throughout all operations.
    • For branch removal (snedding), credit efficient technique: working from the butt to the tip on top and side branches, keeping the saw below waist height, and avoiding terrain contact with the guide bar.
    • When processing felled trees, marks awarded for stable positioning of the stem, correct use of compression and tension release cuts, and consistent sizing of logs to specification.
    • For hung-up tree scenarios, credit demonstration of a systematic risk assessment, use of winching or breaking cuts, and maintaining an escape route away from the fall path.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡In a practical assessment, verbalise your decision-making at each step—examiners need to hear your risk assessments, cut selections, and awareness of kickback zones.
    • 💡Familiarise yourself with the relevant HSE guidance (e.g., INDG317) and Lantra's own code of practice; examiners will expect you to reference safe working distances and exclusion zones.
    • 💡For the knowledge test, memorise key dimensions: minimum holding wood thickness (10% of tree diameter), maximum depth of felling cut before starting triangular step, and safe handling distances (two tree lengths).
    • 💡Practice the mechanical advantage setup for winching hung-up trees until it’s second nature—this is often a critical skill that distinguishes competent operators.
    • 💡Always demonstrate a 360-degree check and clear shout of 'stand clear' before triggering the final cut; such consistent behaviour aligns with industry good practice and earns marks for safety awareness.
    • 💡Tip 1: In the practical assessment, demonstrate a systematic approach: start with a site-specific risk assessment, then clearly communicate your felling plan to the assessor. Use the 'STEPS' mnemonic (Site, Tree, Equipment, People, Stability) to show thoroughness.
    • 💡Tip 2: For the theory paper, focus on the 'why' behind safety rules. For example, explain why the hinge must be of uniform thickness (to prevent the tree from twisting off the stump). Use technical terms like 'barber chair', 'binding', and 'reaction wood' to show depth of knowledge.
    • 💡Tip 3: When processing, show that you can adapt to different timber sizes and conditions. For example, demonstrate how to cut a tensioned branch (cut from the underside first) and how to measure and cut logs to specified lengths accurately. This proves competence beyond basic skills.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Assuming the felling direction is solely determined by the tree's natural lean rather than considering wind, adjacent obstacles, and escape route safety.
    • Neglecting to check for 'barber chair' risk on forward-leaning trees and failing to use appropriate cuts like a bore cut or strap.
    • Placing the felling hinge (holding wood) incorrectly—too thick, too thin, or uneven—leading to loss of directional control.
    • During snedding, working on the downhill side of the stem, causing risk of the log rolling, or cutting branches under tension from the wrong side.
    • When cross-cutting, failing to properly support the log so that the saw is not pinched, often due to incorrect assessment of tension and compression.
    • Attempting to take down a hung-up tree by undermining the support tree or pulling from an unsafe position, rather than using a winch or incremental cuts from a safe distance.
    • Misconception: 'A larger notch angle always gives better directional control.' Correction: The open-face notch (70°) provides better control for most trees, but a conventional notch (45°) may be needed for heavy leaners. The hinge thickness and back cut height are equally important.
    • Misconception: 'You can fell a tree without an escape route if it's small.' Correction: Even small trees can fall unpredictably due to wind or rot. Always plan and clear two escape routes at 45° angles away from the expected fall line.
    • Misconception: 'Processing can be done quickly without regard for cutting order.' Correction: Incorrect cutting order can cause the chainsaw to bind or the log to roll. Always cut from the top of the stem downwards, and use a safe stance to avoid kickback.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •Basic chainsaw maintenance and cross-cutting skills (e.g., Lantra Awards Level 1 Award in Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-cutting).
    • •Understanding of health and safety legislation relevant to forestry and arboriculture, including PUWER and COSHH.
    • •Physical fitness and ability to work in outdoor environments, as felling and processing require stamina and manual dexterity.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • Be able to work safely, Be able to fell and process trees up to 380mm, Know relevant health and safety legislation and industry good practice, Know how to fell and process trees up to 380mm, Know how to remove branches from felled trees using a chainsaw, Know how to take down hung up trees

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