Faller Francois Allard explains that the faller is the most important person
in a logging operation. The faller cuts down the trees and controls where
they fall.
Hand fallers cut down trees manually with a chainsaw. They average 400
to 600 trees a day. Machine fallers cut down trees using a machine called
a feller-buncher. Machine fallers cut 1,000 to 3,000 trees every day.
Fallers keep records of the number of trees cut, sometimes according to
species, or by hardwood and softwood categories. The feller-buncher has a
counter that tracks the trees.
Fallers might stay in a camp for weeks at a time. There, they might be
asked to perform various activities related to camp operation.
Fallers must observe environmental laws and must take care to cut only
in approved areas. "If you don't follow line direction, you can get fined,"
Allard says.
Mechanical fallers perform basic maintenance tasks on their equipment,
such as checking valves and adding oil. Hand fallers must keep their saws
and safety equipment in good working order.
Mike Garrett is the contract harvest manager for a forestry company in
Oregon. He explains that feller-buncher machines work best on relatively
level ground. Therefore, hand fallers are likely to work in regions that have
steep hills and mountains. Machine fallers are likely to work in areas with
a more level ground surface.
Fallers must assess each tree individually when planning to fell it. They
want the tree to fall in an area that will not endanger other workers and
be accessible to other loggers so it can be bucked and moved.
"Each tree is different. It is a challenge to put the tree where we could
recover as much wood as possible," says Garrett. "I enjoy that challenge."
According to Garrett, hand fallers carry one, sometimes two chainsaws,
a faller's tape, a wedge, an ax and a can of gas and oil. "We are like pack
mules," he says with a laugh.
Fallers work for logging and timber companies. Some might work in firefighting
operations, in construction or for businesses offering tree removal or tree
pruning services.
Most fallers in the U.S. are independent contractors, Garrett says. They
own their own saws (worth about $1,000 each), pickups, axes, wedges and any
other equipment needed.
"Independent contractors have to be willing to move around and go where
they can get contracts," says faller Ted Simmons. "You might be away from
home for months at a time."
Fallers typically work nine to 10 months of the year. Logging operations
stop during spring weather when snow is melting and the ground is soft. "If
you follow the helicopter logging companies around, you might get work year-round,"
Allard says.
It would be difficult, but perhaps not impossible, for a person with a
disability to work as a mechanical faller. "There are foot pedals to work
and a hand-operated joystick to use," Allard says. "And sometimes I have to
get out of the cab and walk around and troubleshoot."
"I don't think a person with a disability could do hand falling," says
Garrett. "You have to be physically fit and carry a lot of equipment around
with you."
Felling, especially hand felling, is very dangerous. Safety precautions
are important. "We have a saying," says Simmons. "There are old fallers. There
are bold fallers. But there are no old, bold fallers."
Fallers may be required to wear safety clothing and carry safety equipment.