Felling and processing trees up to 380mm using a liquid fuel-powered chainsaw
This element covers the safe and competent use of a liquid fuel-powered chainsaw to fell and process trees up to 380mm in diameter, in compliance with health and safety legislation and industry best practice. Learners will develop practical skills in hazard identification, chainsaw starting and maintenance, directional felling techniques, takedown of hung-up trees, and processing timber into manageable lengths. Mastery of these skills ensures sustainable and productive working practices in arboriculture and forestry operations.
Assessment criteria
Quick Revision Summary (Key Takeaway)
The Lantra Awards Level 2 Award in Felling and Processing Trees up to 380mm covers the safe and efficient felling of trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) up to 380mm, including chainsaw operation, directional felling, and processing techniques. This qualification is essential for forestry and arboriculture workers, ensuring compliance with UK health and safety legislation and industry best practice.
Topic Overview
This qualification is designed for individuals working in forestry, arboriculture, or land management who need to fell and process trees up to 380mm in diameter. It covers the essential skills and knowledge required to operate a chainsaw safely and efficiently, including pre-felling inspections, directional felling techniques, and processing timber into usable lengths. The course emphasises compliance with UK legislation, particularly the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER).
The practical skills taught are critical for maintaining a safe working environment, as felling trees is a high-risk activity. Students learn to assess tree health, identify potential hazards, and use correct cutting techniques to control the direction of the fall. Processing involves limbing, snedding, and cross-cutting, which require precision and an understanding of how wood behaves under tension and compression.
This award is a stepping stone for further qualifications in arboriculture and forestry, such as the Level 3 Award in Advanced Felling or chainsaw maintenance courses. It also contributes to the National Occupational Standards for tree work, making it a valuable addition to a CV for anyone seeking employment in the land-based sector.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →Pre-felling risk assessment: identifying hazards such as decay, lean, wind, and obstacles.
- →Directional felling: using a notch and back cut to control the tree's fall direction.
- →Hinge management: leaving a correct hinge to guide the tree and prevent splitting.
- →Processing techniques: limbing, snedding, and cross-cutting to produce logs.
- →Chainsaw safety: PPE, maintenance, and safe handling procedures.
Learning Objectives
What you need to know and understand
- Understand health and safety legislation, and industry best practice relevant to felling trees and processing timber using a chainsawKnow how to identify the hazards and control the risks involved in felling trees and processing timber up to 380mm in diameter Know how to carry out the felling of trees and the processing of timber using safe, productive and sustainable working practicesCarry out the felling of trees and the processing of timber using safe, productive and sustainable working practicesKnow how to carry out safe and effective starting processes on the liquid fuel-powered chainsawBe able to carry out safe and effective starting processes on a liquid fuel-powered chainsawKnow how to carry out safe and effective on-site preparations for felling trees and processing timberBe able to carry out safe and effective on-site preparations for felling trees and processing timberKnow how to fell trees up to 380mm in diameterBe able to fell trees up to 380mm in diameterKnow how to take down hung-up treesBe able to take down hung-up treesKnow how to process felled timber Be able to process felled timberBe able to demonstrate preparing the liquid fuel-powered chainsaw for transport and storage
Assessment Criteria
Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio
- Demonstrate a thorough site-specific risk assessment, identifying overhead, ground-level, and environmental hazards before commencing work.
- Correctly maintain and start the chainsaw in a designated safe area, following manufacturer guidelines and pre-start checks.
- Accurately execute a directional felling cut (gob and back cut) appropriate to the tree size and lean, ensuring the hinge wood is of correct thickness and intact.
- Safely fell the tree within the intended felling zone, maintaining escape route access and using appropriate wedges if necessary.
- Successfully process felled timber by cross-cutting and snedding, maintaining chain sharpness and avoiding kickback zones.
- Demonstrate the safe takedown of a hung-up tree using accepted methods such as winching or manual rolling, without entering the danger zone.
- Show proper chainsaw shut-down, cleaning, and preparation for transport, including bar guard fitting and fuel management.
Assessment Guidance
Guidance for achieving higher grades
- 💡During the practical assessment, verbalise your actions and reasons, especially for safety-related decisions—assessors value evidence of conscious competence.
- 💡Practice chain sharpening and tensioning regularly; a blunt chain can cause binding and increase effort, potentially failing the assessment.
- 💡Always maintain a clear escape route at 45 degrees behind the intended direction of fall, and demonstrate awareness of it throughout the felling.
- 💡Familiarise yourself with the specific chainsaw model you will be assessed on, including its cold-start and warm-start procedures, to avoid delays.
- 💡Use correct terminology: 'directional notch', 'hinge', 'felling cut', 'escape route'. This demonstrates professional knowledge and earns marks.
- 💡Always link your answers to safety legislation and best practice. Mentioning PUWER, COSHH, or the Health and Safety at Work Act shows a deeper understanding.
- 💡In practical assessments, show a methodical approach: assess, plan, prepare, execute. Examiners look for a systematic process, not just the final cut.
Common Mistakes
Common errors to avoid in your coursework
- Failing to notch the gob cut to the correct depth (typically one-third of tree diameter) leading to uncontrolled felling.
- Incorrect body positioning when starting the chainsaw, risking injury from kickback.
- Neglecting to check for deadwood or other overhead hazards, resulting in unexpected falling debris.
- Using the upper quadrant of the guide bar during snedding, increasing the likelihood of kickback.
- Omitting to secure the work area with signage or barriers, allowing unauthorized access.
- Misconception: The deeper the notch, the better. Correction: The notch should be 20-25% of DBH; too deep weakens the hinge and can cause the tree to fall unpredictably.
- Misconception: You can cut straight through the tree without a notch. Correction: A directional notch is essential for controlling the fall direction and preventing barber chair splits.
- Misconception: PPE is optional for experienced workers. Correction: PPE is mandatory under PUWER and can save lives; it must be worn at all times when operating a chainsaw.
Revision Plan
How to revise this topic in 1–2 weeks
- 1Week 1: Focus on theory - learn the principles of risk assessment, tree felling techniques, and safety legislation. Use flashcards for key terms.
- 2Week 2: Practice practical skills under supervision - practice making notches and back cuts on small trees, and processing logs. Review videos of correct techniques.
- 3Week 3: Consolidate with mock exam questions and past papers. Focus on command words like 'describe' and 'explain'.
- 4Week 4: Revise weak areas, then take a full practice exam under timed conditions.
Exam Question Types
How this topic typically appears in the exam
- 📋Multiple-choice questions on safety regulations and equipment (e.g., 'What is the minimum PPE for chainsaw use?').
- 📋Short-answer questions requiring definitions of terms like 'hinge' or 'escape route'.
- 📋Scenario-based questions where you must describe the steps to fell a tree safely given specific conditions.
- 📋Calculation questions involving DBH, notch depth, or hinge width.
Command Word Expectations (LANTRA AWARDS)
What examiners look for when using specific command words in this specification
Provide a detailed account of a procedure or concept, including steps and reasons. For example, 'Describe the procedure for directional felling' requires a step-by-step explanation with correct terminology.
Give reasons for why something is done, linking to safety or efficiency. For example, 'Explain why a hinge is important' requires a causal explanation.
Perform a numerical calculation and show working. For example, 'Calculate the notch depth for a 300mm tree' requires the formula and answer with units.
How Students Lose Marks (Examiner Pitfalls)
Common mark loss traps and how to write 100% full-mark answers
Step-by-Step Worked Solutions
Detailed solution breakdown for typical exam problems
Question: A tree has a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 350mm. Calculate the minimum felling notch depth required for safe directional felling, and state the recommended hinge width.
- 1.Step 1: Identify the DBH: 350mm.
- 2.Step 2: The notch depth should be about 20-25% of the DBH. Calculate 20% of 350mm = 70mm, and 25% = 87.5mm. So the notch depth should be between 70mm and 87.5mm.
- 3.Step 3: The hinge width should be about 10% of the DBH, so 10% of 350mm = 35mm. State final answer with units.
Question: Describe the correct procedure for processing a felled tree into logs, including the use of a chainsaw and safety measures.
- 1.Step 1: Ensure the work area is clear and stable, and that the chainsaw is in good working order with a sharp chain and proper tension.
- 2.Step 2: Remove branches using the chainsaw, working from the top of the tree towards the base, keeping the chainsaw on the downhill side if on a slope.
- 3.Step 3: Cut the trunk into log lengths using appropriate cutting techniques, such as the 'buck' cut, and use wedges if the log is under tension to prevent pinching.
- 4.Step 4: Always maintain a safe working distance from others, and use personal protective equipment (PPE) including helmet, visor, gloves, and chainsaw trousers.
Active Recall Memory Test
Test your memory before revealing the key facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Pass / Merit / Distinction Evidence Checklist
How your portfolio evidence is graded for LANTRA AWARDS Felling and processing trees up to 380mm using a liquid fuel-powered chainsaw
Every vocational unit is marked against named criteria rather than an exam percentage. Your tutor's brief lists the exact codes for this unit — here is what each band is asking you to do.
Demonstrate baseline knowledge, accurate terminology, and core practical application.
Provide detailed analysis, structured explanations, and clear workplace reasoning.
Deliver thorough evaluation, original problem solving, and fully justified recommendations.
Before You Start
Prior knowledge that will help with this topic
- •Basic understanding of tree biology and common tree species.
- •Familiarity with chainsaw components and basic maintenance.
- •Knowledge of personal protective equipment (PPE) and its uses.
Coursework AI Review
Paste your assignment brief and check your draft against its P/M/D criteria
Key Terminology
Essential terms to know
- Understand health and safety legislation, and industry best practice relevant to felling trees and processing timber using a chainsawKnow how to identify the hazards and control the risks involved in felling trees and processing timber up to 380mm in diameter Know how to carry out the felling of trees and the processing of timber using safe, productive and sustainable working practicesCarry out the felling of trees and the processing of timber using safe, productive and sustainable working practicesKnow how to carry out safe and effective starting processes on the liquid fuel-powered chainsawBe able to carry out safe and effective starting processes on a liquid fuel-powered chainsawKnow how to carry out safe and effective on-site preparations for felling trees and processing timberBe able to carry out safe and effective on-site preparations for felling trees and processing timberKnow how to fell trees up to 380mm in diameterBe able to fell trees up to 380mm in diameterKnow how to take down hung-up treesBe able to take down hung-up treesKnow how to process felled timber Be able to process felled timberBe able to demonstrate preparing the liquid fuel-powered chainsaw for transport and storage
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