Well-informed hobby gardeners have a clear advantage when they cut down a spruce tree in their own garden. There are important aspects to consider beforehand and during tree felling. Read here when and how to properly fell a spruce tree.
How do you properly fell a spruce tree in your own garden?
In order to professionally fell a spruce tree in your own garden, it is important to do the felling outside of the statutory closed season (1. March to September 30th), determine the felling direction, determine a sufficient felling radius and wear suitable protective equipment. If you are unsure, we recommend hiring a professional.
Felling down a spruce tree in your own garden – what should you pay attention to?
In Germany, the legislature has a say when you cut down a spruce tree in the garden. Once the legal hurdles have been overcome, safety-relevant premises come into focus. This is what you need to keep in mind so that you can successfully master the dangerous project of felling a tree with a garden:
- In many municipalities, tree felling requires a permit.
- In the period from March 1st to September 30th, felling a spruce tree is prohibited by law.
- When felling a spruce, important guidelines regarding safety, felling technique and felling direction must be observed.
- By letting hobby gardeners cut down the spruce tree by a professional, all risks are reduced to a minimum.
When is felling a spruce tree allowed?
In Germany, felling a spruce tree is permitted from the beginning of October to the end of February. During the remaining months, the Federal Nature Conservation Act prohibits the felling of trees on private property. The specific implementation of the legal requirements is regulated in the municipal tree protection ordinance. Further information can be obtained from the Lower Nature Conservation Authority in the district office or the responsible local government.
How do I fell a spruce correctly?
Good preparation, optimal equipment and experienced felling techniques guarantee a smooth process when felling a spruce tree. Before you undertake the dangerous tree felling, please put on protective clothing in the form of cut protection trousers (€76.00 on Amazon), safety shoes, gloves and a helmet with face protection. Subject all work equipment to a critical check for functionality and completeness. The following quick guide explains in summary how to fell the spruce correctly:
- Before felling: determine the felling direction, determine the felling radius (twice the tree length), determine the felling technique.
- Set a notch on the spruce: Saw out the notch roof and notch sole in a wedge shape and remove the wedge.
- Prepare the felling cut: mark the height and circumference of the felling cut on the tree.
- Warn your surroundings about the falling tree: “Be careful, the tree is falling!”
- Make felling cut.
Have a spruce tree cut down – how much does it cost?
Responsible hobby gardeners avoid all risks by having a spruce tree felled by a professional. The amount of costs depends on the height of the tree, inaccessibility and the potential for danger. Felling a 12 meter high spruce usually costs between 200 euros and 600 euros. If you have a 20 meter high spruce tree felled, the cost calculation will be between 550 euros and 1,000 euros.
Tip
First get a chainsaw license, then fell the spruce
As part of a voluntary participation in the chainsaw license, you will learn all the important skills in using a chainsaw. The one-day basic course is made up of two modules. Module A teaches you the theoretical basics about protective equipment, chainsaw components, care and maintenance. At the end of Module B you will be familiar with the fundamental cutting techniques and have completed some cutting exercises under expert supervision.
