What kind and size of saw do I need?

[FnG]magnolia

[FnG]magnolia

[FnG]magnolia

Caporegime
Joined
29 Aug 2007
Posts
28,767
Location
Auckland
Need to chop a branch approx 12 inches in diameter off a tree in the back garden. What's the best tool to do this? Manual saw or chainsaw?

Thanks in advance.

e : If it matters, it would be cut approx 1 foot from the base of the tree so I'm not up high or anything.
 
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Before anyone responds, it's only fair if you belittle and berate yourself first.
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Socially awkward and empty of thought, I am literally unsure of how to cut down a tree branch.
Ask me about being a terrible tree cutting person!
 
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tbh.
 
Oddly enough they do make a saw specifically for cutting tree branches and the like.

I think they call it a Tree/Bow/Garden/Pruning Saw and it costs all of a fiver and up depending on the brand and where you buy it from.
 
At a foot wide you will struggle with a bow saw and depending on where you want the cut you might have a hard time getting a flush and neat cut, bow saws are pretty bulky esp the kind of size you would need.

I recommend a chainsaw.


Edit: I'm not saying you couldn't do it with a bow saw, it's just that I've cut a lot of wood in my time and a chainsaw will make the job easy instead of difficult and annoying.
 
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D.P. said:
Mathematically speaking you will need a saw equal or greater in length ten te radius of the branch.
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You mean height, but yes you are right he would need one of the larger bow saws out there if he went down the bow saw route.
 
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When cutting branches over 1 inch in diameter, use the three-cut method (Figure 8) to avoid tearing the bark of the trunk. Make the first cut on the underside of the branch, 1 to 2 feet out from the trunk and about half-way through the branch. The second cut is made on the top of the branch, about 3 inches further out from the first cut. As this cut is made, the weight of the branch will cause it to break between the two cuts. If there is danger of the branch damaging other limbs below or objects on the ground, it must be properly roped and supported, then carefully lowered to the ground after the second cut. The remaining stub can then be cut back to the branch bark ridge.

Make slanting cuts when removing limbs that grow upward; this prevents water from collecting in the cut and speeds closure. Large branches should be removed just outside the collar ---- not flush with the trunk.
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http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/trees-new/text/pruning.html
 
You could use a normal timber cutting saw. Buy a new one as they are awesomely sharp when new but quickly they quickly dull. Bow saws are horrible and would personnally avoid.

Chainsaw is always the best and easiest though.
 
24" bow saw would be absolutely fine. If it's new, it'll be nice and sharp and you'll get through that branch in a couple of minutes :)
 
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