What happens if your chainsaw bar and chain pinch when making the felling cut? And how to control the felling direction and timing of the tree when it is leaning in the wrong direction?
In this case, you have to use the best felling wedges. I know you agree with me, right? Sometimes rope can help but the felling wedges are dedicatedly designed and suitable for that task.
There are so many tree felling wedges brands and models available on local and online stores. And all vary in these models are materials, color, size, and quality. That’s why it is difficult to find the best.
Then what to do? Be relaxed as I am going to share here the topmost product list of felling wedge.
In this article, I have reviewed the 10 best felling wedges. And for your convenience, lastly, I have added the buying guide and using the technique of felling wedges.
In a hurry? Here is our top pick that you can buy right now- Husqvarna Felling Wedge Set of 3 (10″, 8″, and 5.5″)
Best Felling Wedges- Quick Comparisons
| Felling Wedges | Material | Size | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timber Savage Felling Wedge | Plastic | 5.5" | Orange |
| Gator Spiked Wedge | Thermoplastic | 5.5", 8" & 10" | Bright |
| Oregon Felling Wedge | Plastic | 8" | Yellow |
| STIHL Felling Wedge | Plastic | 7.5" | Orange |
| Husqvarna Felling Wedge | Thermoplastic | 8" | Bright |
| Redneck Convent Wedge | Thermoplastic | 8" | Green |
| TIPU Tree Felling Wedge | PA6-GF30 plastic | 5.5"& 8" | Yellow |
| Timber Tuff Wedge | Thermoplastic | 12" | Green |
| Felled Spiked Wedge | Thermoplastic | 5.5" | Orange |
| Outdoor tree felling wedges | Thermoplastic | 5.5" | Yellow |
Best Felling Wedges Reviews- Top picks
1. Timber Savage Felling Wedge Chain Saw Logging Wedges
Timber Savage felling wedges is 5.5 inches, double taper wedge that perfect for small-diameter trees. It also can be used for the average diameter tree.
This high impact lightweight wedge has 90 grams of weight that makes it more convenient and portable. The best part of this hard head felling wedge is that it is small enough to carry in your jeans pocket easily. Moreover, it also perfectly fits in a pouch.
If you drop them on the forest floor, they are easy to find because of this bright color. This bright color wedge comes with a light orange color.
But the height of this wedge is 1 inch. That means the wedge into the tree can lift 1 inch and keep your saw kerf enough so that the chain of your saw doesn’t pinch. Moreover, It has one smooth side and barbs on the other side. The barbs prevent the wedge back out of the kerf.
Many lumberjacks claim that it is too short that they are expected and others claim that it is short enough to carry easily and thick enough to do the job faster. On a whole, You can purchase Timber Savage wedges and test on small and average diameter trees.
2. Gator Wedge Spiked Felling Wedges
It comes with a set of 3 different sizes. The different sizes are 5.5, 8, and 10 inches. But All have a 1-inch heel (thickness). With the help of these wedges, you can perfectly fell small to a large diameter tree. Moreover, This double taper wedge has one soft and one serrated barb’s side to hold it in the kerf of the tree.
All the 3 wedges have 658 grams of weight. Yes! These wedges are a little bit heavier than others but not too heavy to carry. It comes with the reddish-orange color and it is designed only for felling not splitting wood.
You will get 3 different sizes wedge in one pack. So you can purchase it for felling small to the larger tree.
3. Oregon 23561 Felling Wedge for Logging
This hard lightweight and durable plastic wedge are designed for the pro loggers. The length of this wedge is 8″ which is perfect for bucking and felling small-diameter trees. It has one smooth and one serrated side which provides a perfect grip on the stump of wood.
It has a hanging tab that helps to hang the tools in the house or garage. Moreover, This small wedge easily fits in the pocket.
Want to know the best part of the Oregon felling wedge? Oregon offers you the best wedge for a very cheap price. The light yellow color can help to find the tool if you drop it on the ground.
If you want to buy a wedge for bucking and felling small diameter tree, then you can go for this model. With the combination of this stackable tree felling wedges, you can fell a larger tree also.
4. STIHL 7.5″ OEM Felling Wedge
STIHL is a well-renowned brand for different household and woodworking tools. They always provide high quality products. No exception has happened for this STIHL 7.5″ Felling Wedge.
It is made of light and tough plastic. The weight of this wedge is only 22 grams. It is a 7-1/2-inch wedge that is designed for bucking and felling trees not for splitting wood. The size is enough for a felling medium to a large diameter tree. The price and quality ratio have also made it top model. And the light color of this wedge also can help to spot easily.
The best part of this product is-
It has one serrated side like other wedge but the other side is not plain like other brand’s wedges. The other side has 2 tapered lines that help to get a good grip on the wood. Moreover, It width part of the wedge is 3 inch which means it can lift almost 3 inches.
STHIL felling wedge is most popular among the lumberjack. I hope you also like this durable chainsaw felling wedge.
5. New OEM Set of 3 8″ Husqvarna Felling Tree Wedges
Husqvarna is another best brand for woodworking tools and kits.
This felling wedge is manufactured with ABS thermoplastic. It comes with 3 sets of 8 inches wedge. Though they claim it is an 8-inch wedge but actually it is a little bit shorter than other 8-inch wedges. But the size is enough for felling the large diameter tree.
It can lift more than 1 inch that helps you to prevent being pinched the chainsaw in the wood. You can buy it for bucking and felling large diameter tree. It is one of the best plastic felling wedges today.
6. Redneck Convent Spiked Tree Felling Wedges
This single taper felling wedge measures 8 inches in length and made of ABS plastic. Because of this high impact plastic, it can be stable under heavy load.
It has a serrated surface with 9 angled spikes. The 9 angle spike on this felling wedge helps you to create a perfect grip on the tree stump more force that overcomes back fall of the leaning tree serrated. Moreover, the length of this wedge perfect for the felling medium to the large tree.
It comes with green color and not for splitting wood. You can fell the large leaning trees in the opposite direction with this wedge. This is the best brand 8″ felling wedges for the chainsaw.
7. TIPU 4-Pack Tree Felling Wedge Set
The wedges made of the durable PA6-GF30 plastic helps to tolerate many adverse conditions and don’t break easily. It is highly visible with yellow color.
The price of the TIPU tree felling wedge is comparatively low. It is the best value product of money.
8. Timber Tuff TMB Felling Wedge
It is made of ABS plastic and has on serrated site that helps to hold the wedge in the tree. Also, it comes with a green color.
If you need a wedge for the large tree, then don’t hesitate to buy it. But it is not recommended for a small diameter tree.
9. Felled Spiked Tree Felling Wedges for Tree Cutting
This is a four-pack single taper felling wedge made of long-lasting plastic. The angular point of this falling wedge can lift the tree and fell the opposite direction with minimal efforts.
It is a 5.5″ felling wedge which is perfect for felling and bucking the large diameter and it comes with super visible light orange color.
Want to know the best part of this wedge? It enters the kerf of the tree faster than other felling wedges. It may also help to fell the tree fast in the right direction.
10. Parts 4 Outdoor tree felling wedges
Well, Its durability. This wedge is made of durable ABS plastic. The ABS thermoplastic material makes this wedge super resistant to tolerate any adverse situations. It is almost impossible to crack or break in regular felling work. Moreover, This high performing wedge is made in the USA.
This tree felling wedge has barbs on the surface on one side that helps to prevent skipping it from the kerf. The color of the wedges is yellow.
The quality and price ratio are also reasonable. You can add this fast handling, high impact felling and bucking wedge in your wedge holster.
How to Pick The Best Felling Wedges?-Buying Guide
The felling wedge is a triangular-shaped and portable tool that is used for separating two portions of logs, lifting up and overcoming the leaning forces of the felling trees. It is also known as “winter wedge”.
Now let’s see what are things to be considered before Buy-
Materials of the Wedge
Most of the felling wedges are made of ABS plastic. Though wood fiber can be used to make of felling wedge. The felling wedge is placed in the same path of the chainsaw. That’s why only soft materials can be used to make of it that cut easily if the chainsaw touches the wedge accidentally.
If you use a steel or aluminum felling wedge, then it can damage a bunch of your saw teeth when they contact. On the other hand, the metal wedge is heavier than plastic and wood wedge. So, plastic or nylon felling wedges are the best choices for everyone.
Moreover, Metal capped wedges are also best for felling trees. It has a plastic body and a metalhead. So no risk to damage the saw teeth but this type of wedge is very expensive.
Size of the Wedge
Various size wedges are available in the market. Generally, it comes with the lengths of 5.5, 8, 10, 12, 15, and 20 inches. The mechanical advantages depend on the ratio of the length and slope to its width.
What size felling wedges do you need?
It depends on the diameter of the tree. Generally, the longest wedge is best for a long diameter tree and the short one for a small diameter tree. Though a wide-angle short wedge can do the job faster than the long wedge with narrow-angle.
It is worth mentionable that 5 inches is the perfect size of the wedge for bucking. But for felling, you need a combination of different sizes wedges. The best idea is to put different sizes felling wedge in the tool bag.
Surface Teeth and Taper
Most of the felling wedge have teeth on them and that is a considerable feature because as you force it into the wood, teeth will engage the wood that they are nor pop out.
Single, double, and triple taper(Our pick: K&H 10″ Red Head Triple Taper Falling Wedges) wedge is available. Single taper has a slope on the only side, the double taper has a slope gradually on both sides. Triple taper like a single taper. But the taping angle increases about halfway.
The single and double taper wedge is popular among the people.
Color of the Wedge
Generally, manufacturers make the felling wedges very light in color. That helps you to find the wedge if you drop them on the forest floor. So, you don’t have to think about the color. Thereafter, before buying, take into consideration that color must be light and catchy.
How to Fell a Tree Using Wedges? (Best Way to Fell a Tree)
The wedge supports the trunk/bole of the tree. In turn, this prevents the saw from binding into the compression area.
It is also used to change the direction of a falling tree while harvesting.
The wedge acts as the fulcrum for this process. How? Well, it raises the center of the tree past its pivot point for it to fall into the opposite direction of lean.
Now that we’ve seen the basics, it’s time to get deeper-
Steps in Felling Trees With Wedges
Many people ask around what’s the exact way of cutting trees with wedges. Well, there are actually several correct ways of doing this. But for your ease, we’ve prepared this step by step guide of this process.
Now, let’s cut right through the details-
1. Create The Face Notch
At first, build the forward-facing notch pointing toward the desired fall. This notch should open at 70 degrees for optimum tree direction control and decrease the wedge compressive force
Use the regular notch scale about 1/3 of the tree’s diameter, too. Moreover, make corner cuts around the notch. This will keep the tree from scarring as it falls on the sides of the hinge
2. Identify The Number of Wedges Needed
For any kind of logging job, you need to know what type of wedges you are going to need. While the use of a single wedge can solve a back-lean, the tree sizes come into play when deciding how many wedges to use.
In relation to a big tree, one small tree or one slightly back-lean ensures fewer wedges. Bigger trees or trees with bigger lean would need 3 to 4 wedges in order to lean the tree direction and eventually tip it.
It’s quite easy to decide the wedge number. You’ll just have to take a few measurements. A central component of this process is also the face notch and the proper hinging of the tree trunk.
3. Figure Out Segments of The Tree
The tree segments give you a glimpse of how much lift each wedge can make. The scale of each segment is equivalent to the distance from the face of the hinge to the back of the tree lean.
To calculate how many of those make up the tree, multiply the weight by 12, convert the tree height to inches from the ground.
Next, divide the height of the tree by the weighted height of lean. You get to know the number of segments the tree can be divided by this.
So, why’s this so important?
Okay, look at it like this. Let’s assume the tree has 50 segments. So, putting a 1″ wedge into the back cut. After that, hammering it flat with the tree stump pushes the opposite corner of the fiftieth section by 50 inches.
Therefore, if the weighted height of lean is less than 50 inches, then only one, 1″ wedge is needed to change its direction of fall. However, it is not recommended to use more than 2 wedges for your safety and those nearby.
But if you believe you’re going to need more wedges, then don’t have them stacked directly on each other. Alternatively, one wedge hitting takes the other one-off because of the unequal compression.
What you should do is have the wedges, side by side at 70 degrees apart. Then hit each one at a time, alternately. Once the tree is raised past the middle of the pivot and begins to fall, move to a safe distance.
4. Make The Cut
After making the notch and finding out the sizes and number of wedges necessary, it’s time to move on. Actually, from here on it’s pretty straightforward.
Make a cut while you move in the direction of the notch. It should be from the other side of the trunk where the tree is leaning towards. Make sure that the cutting point is aligned with the center of the notch.
Stop cutting when enough space is in place to accommodate a wedge without coming into contact with the chain.
Simultaneously leave enough tree-stump to keep the tree in place. Before putting a wedge into the break, remove the chainsaw with the wedge pointing in the direction you want the tree to fall.
5. Put the Wedge in Place
There are two ways to hammer the wedge into place. If you have brought along a hammer you can use it. However, you can also use an axle to pound the wedge right in.
If the tree has not yet started to fall by the time the wedge is flush with the root, then make another cut. But be careful while doing this. Protect the hinge and don’t cut the tree entirely.
Next, choose between pounding and cutting on the felling cut. As we’ve mentioned earlier, sometimes a single wedge cannot do the job. So at 70 degrees apart, it’s better to overlap a second or third wedge then pound on the wedges until the tree falls on the other side.
Another Technique
This second technique differs slightly from the one we’ve just mentioned. It is used mostly for logging heavily forward-leaning trees.
The process is pretty easy, beginning with creating a shallow notch on the side of the tree to which it leans. The notch should have a diameter of around 1⁄4 or 1⁄3.
Next, start boring the tree out until the chainsaw bar emerges from the other side. However, make sure that you’re holding the saw to the notch plane horizontally at a slightly higher spot,
Moreover, ensure that there is enough wood and hinge to hold.
There might be a situation where the bar will not cut through the other side. In this case, to make the bores meet perfectly you have to turn them over and bore at the same time.
Here’s how to do it. Move back your saw from the pit. But before that, make sure that you’re leaving enough wood to keep the tree in place. Now, cut the entire way back and then start pounding up the wedges until the tree falls.
Safety Measures
These two techniques are pretty popular. Moreover, these are the easiest to learn. However, make sure that you’ve got all your safety gear on before jumping in with the wedges to cut down a tree safely.
Video: How to Fell Small and Large Tree Using Wedges
Different Types of Wedges
There are 3 types of wedges available in the market today. Those are felling wedges, splitting wedges and bucking wedges. Now I will discuss these three types of wedge that help you to understand the difference.
The Felling Wedge
I have already told you what is the felling wedge.
The felling wedge is the wedge that places in the kerf with the help of the best hammer for felling wedges (our pick: Estwing Fiberglass Blacksmith’s Hammer) in the back cut of the tree to prevent leaning forces, determine the felling direction, and pinched the chainsaw while cutting down the leaning tree.
It is also called winter wedge and chainsaw wedge. It is longer and thinner than splitting and bucking wedge. Hydraulic tree felling wedge and jack also available in the market today.
Felling wedge is generally made of soft materials like wood, plastic. Because it stays at the same path of the chainsaw. Wooden felling wedge can be used occasionally but it is not recommended. It has the splitting tendency that can ruin your job.
The main function of the felling wedge lifts the tree and prevents fall back. That why we called it lifting wedge.
The Splitting Wedge
The splitting wedge is a tool that is used for splitting wood. It is driven into the blocks of wood with the help of a sledgehammer or splitting maul. It is made of roust forged steel or metal which helps to easily drive into the wood.
Splitting wedge is thicker and heavier than a felling wedge. As I told it is made of metal, so it can damage the bundle of chainsaw teeth if contact.
Here is the recommended best wood splitting wedge for you- Estwing Sure Split Wedge – 5-Pound Wood Splitting Tool
The Bucking Wedge
The bucking wedge also called hanging or tie wedge. It is used to decrease bind and split wood. It is made of plastic or wood and sometimes metal.
Bucking wedge is shorter and thicker than the felling wedge. Though you can also use a felling wedge for bucking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Felling a Tree?
It is a process of cut and fell down a tree. The person who fell a tree is called a feller. There are 2 main methods of felling- Hand felling and Feller buncher. Further, undercut, back cut are the different types of felling cut.
What is the Perfect Size of Felling Wedges?
The size of the wedge depends on the diameter of the tree. Generally, the large wedge needs to felling the large diameter. But the best wedge combination can be felling small to large diameter trees safely.
Conclusion
I hope this article helped you to pick the best wedges for tree felling. You may pick one from my list or any local shop, just consider the length, material, taper, and color before buy.
Also, remember the type of wedge. People often make a mistake to understand what wedge for which purpose. So, Purchase the best timber wedges and put them in the logging tool belt with other tree felling tools equipment before going for a felling tree.
Wait…
How you use a felling wedge when cutting a tree? What is your favorite wedging tricks? Let me know in the common section below.
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