Falling Deadwood

Forestry & Land Scotland - Safety Alert

An experienced chainsaw operator was working on a slope felling mature spruce trees. As the tree was felled, a broken top fell approx. 8m from a neighboring dead tree, striking him on the head. The operator had moved into his prepared escape route, but the broken top fell into this zone.

Prior to felling the tree, he had checked the canopy but could see no signs of loose or snagged limbs. On inspection after the accident, it’s suggested that the top had rotted for a number of years, but was still attached upright, albeit supported by the neighboring trees. As the spruce was felled, the top lost its support and was able to fall to the ground.