Check local laws, permits, and utility lines before starting
Wear safety gear: helmet, eye protection, hearing protection, gloves, chainsaw chaps, boots
Clear the area of people, pets, vehicles, and obstacles
Plan the fall direction and identify escape routes
Inspect the tree for lean, rot, dead limbs, and hazards
Use a chainsaw or appropriate cutting tool in good working condition
Make a notch cut on the side facing the intended fall direction
Make the back cut on the opposite side, leaving a hinge
Move away along the escape route as the tree starts to fall
Wait until the tree is fully down and stable before approaching
Cut the trunk into sections only after the tree is on the ground
Remove branches carefully, starting from the outside and working inward
Stop and call a professional if the tree is near power lines, structures, or is large, damaged, or unstable