What Do Fallers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Fallers use axes or chainsaws to fell trees using knowledge of tree characteristics and cutting techniques to control direction of fall and minimize tree damage. They also stop saw engines, pull cutting bars from cuts, and run to safety as tree falls.

Other tasks include:

• Appraise trees for certain characteristics, such as twist, rot, and heavy limb growth, and gauge amount and direction of lean, to determine how to control the direction of a tree’s fall with the least damage.
• Saw back-cuts, leaving sufficient sound wood to control direction of fall.
• Clear brush from work areas and escape routes, and cut saplings and other trees from direction of falls, using axes, chainsaws, or bulldozers.
• Measure felled trees and cut them into specified log lengths, using chain saws and axes.
• Assess logs after cutting to ensure that the quality and length are correct.
• Determine position, direction, and depth of cuts to be made, and placement of wedges or jacks.

We asked Fallers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

62% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 57% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Fallers trim off the tops and limbs of trees, using chainsaws, delimbers, or axes. They appraise trees for certain characteristics, such as twist, rot, and heavy limb growth, and gauge amount and direction of lean, to determine how to control the direction of a tree’s fall with the least damage.

A typical day for a Faller will also include:

• Maintain and repair chainsaws and other equipment, cleaning, oiling, and greasing equipment, and sharpening equipment properly.
• Saw back-cuts, leaving sufficient sound wood to control direction of fall.
• Select trees to be cut down, assessing factors such as site, terrain, and weather conditions before beginning work.
• Stop saw engines, pull cutting bars from cuts, and run to safety as tree falls.
• Determine position, direction, and depth of cuts to be made, and placement of wedges or jacks.

We asked some Fallers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Fallers also tag unsafe trees with high-visibility ribbons. They may also split logs, using axes, wedges, and mauls, and stack wood in ricks or cord lots.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Fallers Load logs or wood onto trucks, trailers, or railroad cars, by hand or using loaders or winches. They might also Place supporting limbs or poles under felled trees to avoid splitting undersides, and to prevent logs from rolling.

In addition, they Secure steel cables or chains to logs for dragging by tractors or for pulling by cable yarding systems.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Work as a member of a team, rotating between chain saw operation and skidder operation.

To some Fallers, it is also their responsibility to Mark logs for identification.

Working life

Less than 40 hours per week

Irregular work schedule that changes depending on weather conditions, customer demand or contract duration.

In a typical work week as a Faller, you can expect to work less than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

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