A chainsaw can cut a lot of materials quickly, but it may not be able to produce the most precise cuts. But if it is the only tool you have now and you need to use it for garden work, you can certainly use it to your advantage.
In this guide, our professional landscapers will explain how to cut a hedge with a chainsaw.
Safety Measures to Follow Before Cutting
- Always check whether any wildlife or birds have made the hedge their home before proceeding.
- Ensure that the chain of the chainsaw is tight enough
- Wear eye protection and gloves
- Use headphones that block outside noise
- Use a safety helmet
- You should protect your legs by wearing the best chainsaw chaps.
Cutting Hedges Using a Chainsaw: 4 Simple Steps
Step #1: Find and Gauge the Hedge
Inspect the hedge for any signs of wildlife, and try to pinpoint its exact location, if any are there.
Our experts recommended labeling the branches to be trimmed before actually beginning the cutting process.
Step #2: Clear the Area
You must clear the surrounding area if the bark is the primary focus.
Step #3: Begin Cutting
Before you start cutting, you need to assess the entire bark thickness of the hedge. Straight cuts are sufficient for smaller ones, while a curved one is required for a larger ones.
- Try to find the bark [1].
- Use the chainsaw to clear some space around it.
- Have the chainsaw pointed at a 70-degree angle to the ground where you intend the hedge to collapse.
- Cut horizontally across, meeting at the angle
Cutting Thin Hedges
- Use a horizontal motion to cut into the bark that is exposed.
- Stay on the side opposite the hedge's potential collapse.
- Proceed slowly along a straight line from one end to the other.
Step #4: Cut the Branches
Before chopping down those branches, ensure no animals are hiding there. If that’s the case, you’ll want to eliminate it.
Use a chainsaw at an angle of 30 degrees and make quick cuts.
Hedge shaping requires accuracy. On larger ones, this may be less of a challenge, but it might a medium-sized one may easily break.
- First, position and point your chainsaw toward the way you want it to cut. Keep it well below your waistline.
- Do your slicing straight from up to down.
- Slowly cut and trim a tenth of the hedge at a time.
- If you want a more refined shape, proceeding at a slower pace will help.
Additional Tips for Trimming a Hedge Using a Chainsaw
When chopping down trees or dense wood, a chainsaw is a top tool of choice. Conversely, hedges have many, many tiny branches.
Since damaging the plant would be undesirable, this task calls for delicacy and gentle force.
- Don't let the chainsaw shake.
- You can trim it to any angle you like by setting the chainsaw at that position.
- Take things slow and easy. Excessive amounts can be harmful, altering the plant's appearance.
- Just take your time and nudge it in the right direction.
Cutting Hedges in Half Using a Chainsaw
A chainsaw is an excellent instrument for thinning down a hedge, whether to construct a path through it or reduce its width. To cut it in half, make sure to do these:
- Adjust the chainsaw's height and angle to achieve the desired results.
- Keep it moving straight until you reach the tip of the hedge.
- Once the incision is made, you can remove the top half and any unnecessary branches.
To separate it in two to provide a convenient walkway:
- Trace the desired length.
- Create two slits on each side of the drawn outline, running vertically from top to bottom.
- The barks should be lopped off horizontally at the base.
- Take out the opening and finish trimming for a smooth transition.
FAQ
Are chainsaws the best tool for cutting hedges?
A chainsaw’s lack of precision is offset by its effectiveness. You may use a chainsaw to make fine cuts if the operator maintains a steady hand. Using a chainsaw, you can chop a hedge into manageable chunks.
What are the differences between a hedge trimmer and a chainsaw?
In contrast to a powerful chainsaw, which is usually used to fell trees and in lumber, a hedge trimmer is designed specifically to form and prune the tips of a hedge.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to cut a hedge with a chainsaw, you can do your plant-trimming tasks quickly. But before anything, you should check the condition of one’s chainsaw, sharpen and cinch down the chain and follow all safety precautions for smooth fine work.
(You might also want to check out how to cut branches with a chainsaw.)
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