A tree faller drops trees safely and where they're meant to go, then cuts them into logs. It is dangerous work, so the path is built around safety first and skill second. You will start with saw handling and safe PPE, learn to read a tree (lean, rot, weight, wind), master the notch and back-cut, then work up to hazard trees, leaners and production falling. Most people get in through a logging crew or tree-care company as a ground worker or choker setter and earn faller status after months of supervised work. You can do this by learning slowly, practicing on small trees, and always working with
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Every stage from beginner to expert, with lessons, practice drills, projects, interview questions and free resources. Free with a Rolearch account.
Stage 1 of 3 · about 8 weeks
Handle a chainsaw safely, wear the right gear, and understand how a tree falls, so you are safe and useful on a crew's ground team.
PPE and chainsaw safety basics
Saw kickback and flying chips cause most beginner injuries. Gear and habits protect you before skill does.
Saw maintenance and sharpening
A sharp, well-tensioned saw cuts predictably and cuts with less force, which means fewer accidents and less fatigue.
Tree biology and reading a tree
The tree tells you how it will behave. Lean, crown weight, rot and wind change where it wants to go.
Work area setup and escape routes
Most faller deaths come from being struck by trees or limbs. A clear escape path is your lifeline.
Bucking and limbing basics
Cutting felled trees into logs is where you first learn to read tension and compression in wood so the saw doesn't pinch.
Then 2 more stages (about 64 weeks in all) with lessons, drills, projects, 6 interview questions with strong answers and free resources.