Jobs / Farming, fishing, and forestry / 45-4021.00

Fallers

Use axes or chainsaws to fell trees using knowledge of tree characteristics and cutting techniques to control direction of fall and minimize tree damage.

US jobs
3,130
Median wage
$52,100 a year
Job family
Farming, fishing, and forestry

Can agents do the work of fallers?

We read the evidence for the whole job family, Farming, fishing, and forestry: Unmeasured (no change in 12 months)

No direct benchmark gives a success rate.

0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.

  • 35%Cut trees or other vegetationNot measured
  • 14%Evaluate production inputs or outputsNot measured
  • 14%Determine operational methods or proceduresNot measured
  • 13%Operate agricultural or forestry equipmentNot measured
  • 10%Mark materials or objects for identificationNot measured
  • 7%Maintain tools or equipmentNot measured
  • 4%Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipmentNot measured
  • 2%Perform agricultural activitiesNot measured

Unmeasured territory

No benchmark in this atlas covers this work yet.

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • Saw back-cuts, leaving sufficient sound wood to control direction of fall.
  • Control the direction of a tree's fall by scoring cutting lines with axes, sawing undercuts along scored lines with chainsaws, knocking slabs from cuts with single-bit axes, and driving wedges.
  • Stop saw engines, pull cutting bars from cuts, and run to safety as tree falls.
  • Select trees to be cut down, assessing factors such as site, terrain, and weather conditions before beginning work.
  • Measure felled trees and cut them into specified log lengths, using chain saws and axes.
  • Insert jacks or drive wedges behind saws to prevent binding of saws and to start trees falling.
  • Assess logs after cutting to ensure that the quality and length are correct.
  • Appraise trees for certain characteristics, such as twist, rot, and heavy limb growth, and gauge amount and direction of lean, to determine how to control the direction of a tree's fall with the least damage.
  • Clear brush from work areas and escape routes, and cut saplings and other trees from direction of falls, using axes, chainsaws, or bulldozers.
  • Tag unsafe trees with high-visibility ribbons.
  • Determine position, direction, and depth of cuts to be made, and placement of wedges or jacks.
  • Maintain and repair chainsaws and other equipment, cleaning, oiling, and greasing equipment, and sharpening equipment properly.
Other job titles for this occupation (23)

Bucker · Cutter Operator · Feller · Logger · Sawyer · Timber Cutter · Timber Faller · Timber Feller · Tree Faller · Tree Feller · All Round Logger · Arborist Climber · Axman · Chain Saw Operator · Climbing Arborist · Cross Cut Sawyer · Hewer · High Climber · Lumberjack · Lumberman · Paper Wood Cutter · Pulpwood Cutter · Tree Cutter