Felling and Processing Trees over 380 mm to 760 mm
Learn to assess, fell and process trees over 380 mm to 760 mm, with illustrated lessons, learner questions and 39 H&W Training videos.
Felling and Processing
Trees over 380 mm
to 760 mm
Online learning and practical preparation
11 modules | 48 lessons | 39 illustrated video lessons
With diagrams, learner activities, applied scenarios and 34 knowledge-review questions.
Video lessons: All 39 approved H&W Training videos are embedded at the relevant learning points.
START HERE
Using your Hub learning material
This H&W Training Hub learning material supports your course and supervised practice in felling and processing trees with an effective felling diameter over 380 mm to 760 mm, within the limits agreed with your instructor. Larger stems demand accurate cuts, a clear understanding of timber forces and a workable plan for using aids or obtaining assistance.
Work through the modules in order. Read the explanations, study the retained illustrations, watch each video and complete the response tasks with reasons. Keep a record of uncertainties to discuss before supervised practical work.
Before practical training
- Confirm your prerequisite training and experience in chainsaw maintenance, cross-cutting and smaller-tree felling with your instructor.
- Agree the diameter range, tree conditions, saw and guide-bar limits covered by the course. The title “over 380 mm” does not authorise work on every large tree.
- Use a suitable rear-handled saw with an approved bar and chain combination. The original course used a 380 mm guide-bar reference; your instructor must confirm the equipment limits for the current course.
- Tell the instructor about anything affecting grip, movement, balance, alertness or your ability to work safely. Agree appropriate support or adjustments.
Tree jacking requires substantial practical felling experience and close supervision by a competent jack technician. Agree learner readiness and the actual jack or mechanical wedge before practical work.
What you should be able to explain
- How the site, tree, weather and team determine the felling plan.
- How the sink, hinge, felling cut and aids work together.
- When larger-tree, forward-lean and heartwood techniques are suitable.
- How to preserve stability during snedding, crown breakdown and cross-cutting.
- How to assess hung-up trees, select tools and recognise the limits of manual or winch-assisted methods.
How to assess trees for jacking or mechanical wedging, inspect the correct equipment, maintain support and recognise when to stop.
- How to leave the timber, site and equipment safe.
This is H&W Training learning material. Any awarding-body assessment follows its current specification and is a separate process. Illustrations support the teaching points; the live demonstration, risk assessment and machine instructions determine the working method.
How to record your learning
Use your learning notes for short written answers, sketches and annotated diagrams. Record the lesson, video or question ID with each response. Discuss your answers and uncertainties with your instructor.
COURSE MAP
Modules and learning sequence
Module | Learning topic | Lessons | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
01 | Safety planning and emergency arrangements | 1.1–1.5 | 01–03 |
02 | Assessing and preparing the tree | 2.1–2.5 | 04–08 |
03 | Directional felling of larger trees | 3.1–3.5 | 09–13 |
04 | Heartwood cuts and forward leaning trees | 4.1–4.3 | 14–15 |
05 | Snedding and crown breakdown | 5.1–5.4 | 16–19 |
06 | Cross cutting and timber handling | 6.1–6.4 | 20–22 |
07 | Hung up trees and manual takedown | 7.1–7.4 | 23–25 |
08 | Winching and machine assistance | 8.1–8.5 | 26–28 |
09 | Tree jacking and supervised practice | 9.1–9.8 | 29–34 |
10 | Mechanical felling wedges | 10.1–10.3 | 35–37 |
11 | Stump treatment and close down | 11.1–11.2 | 38–39 |
How the activities work
The 39 practical-focus activities map to Videos 01–39. Each video position includes preparation, observation points and a question for an online response. Use the embedded video and complete the learner question before continuing.
Knowledge review
The 34 questions are grouped at the end of their relevant modules. Give an answer and a reason, revisit the lesson and discuss uncertainties with the instructor. These are learning checks, not proof of practical competence.
Working within your competence
Stop if the tree or conditions differ from the plan. Dead or diseased trees, severe decay, split stems, storm damage, unstable roots, complex hang-ups, utilities and confined sites may require a specialist method or machine assistance. Do not infer that a larger hinge, an extra wedge or a more powerful saw makes an unsuitable operation safe.
Initial learning record
Which parts of larger-tree work are new to you? Record the techniques and equipment that need instructor confirmation.
