12 Life Skills You Need to Call Yourself a Man

12. How to Fell a Tree

Last but not least, you never know when you might find yourself without electricity and heat for a few days. This could happen at home as the result of a massive storm, or maybe you enjoy some camping.

At any rate, you need warmth to survive and wood is the only fuel that keeps a natural fire burning away.

You’ll need a chainsaw (or an ax if you’re old school), protective eyewear and gloves, and a good pair of shoes to complete this. Start by determining the path the tree will fall in, realizing that if a tree is already leaning one way it is going to fall that way no matter what you do.

Additionally, before making a single cut look around for your exit path. Once that tree starts coming down it won’t stop till it hits the ground and you don’t want to be in the way.

Begin by making an initial cut one-third of the way into the trunk of the tree, parallel to the ground on the side of the tree facing the direction of the fall. A second cut should then be made on the same side, coming downward at a 60-degree angle toward the initial cut. Once the two cuts meet, remove the wedge of wood.

To finish it off, go to the other side of the tree and begin a parallel cut with your initial cut and go until you are about an inch or two from meeting the first cut. You want to leave a little chunk of uncut wood to act as a hinge in the fall. At this point the tree should start to fall in the direction you have set forth, so it’s time to power off the saw when you see it beginning to fall and walk away.

Don’t stop to watch, just keep walking calmly away and wait for the thud. At this point it is safe to turn around and bask in the glory of your manhood.