Chainsaw With 36 Inch Bar For Oak & Ash (Pro Arborist Insights)

Let’s dispel a common misconception right away: a bigger chainsaw bar doesn’t automatically equate to better performance. I’ve seen many folks assume that slapping a 36-inch bar on any old chainsaw will magically transform it into a hardwood-devouring beast. The truth? It’s all about matching the bar length to the saw’s power, the type of wood you’re cutting, and your own skill level. Today, I’m diving deep into the world of using a 36-inch bar chainsaw specifically for tackling oak and ash, drawing from my years of experience as a pro arborist. We’ll cover everything from chainsaw selection and maintenance to felling techniques and safety protocols. Get ready for some pro arborist insights that you can put to use today.

Chainsaw Selection: Matching Power to the Task

Choosing the right chainsaw is paramount when dealing with hardwoods like oak and ash, especially when a 36-inch bar is in the mix. It’s not just about the bar length; it’s about the engine’s displacement and power output. A 36-inch bar requires a substantial amount of power to pull the chain through dense wood without bogging down or causing excessive wear and tear on the saw.

Engine Displacement and Power

For a 36-inch bar, I recommend looking at chainsaws with an engine displacement of at least 70cc. Ideally, you want something in the 70cc to 90cc range. This provides the necessary torque and horsepower to handle oak and ash effectively. Think of it this way: the engine is the muscle, and the bar is the lever. A long lever needs a strong muscle to move it.

70cc – 80cc: Suitable for occasional use on smaller oak and ash trees (up to 30 inches in diameter).
80cc – 90cc: Ideal for frequent use on larger oak and ash trees (over 30 inches in diameter) and for professional applications.

Don’t skimp on power. It’s better to have a bit too much than not enough. An underpowered saw will struggle, leading to slower cutting speeds, increased chain wear, and potential damage to the engine.

Here are a few models I’ve found reliable:

Stihl MS 462 R C-M: A powerful and relatively lightweight saw in the 70cc class. It’s known for its excellent power-to-weight ratio and advanced engine management system.
Husqvarna 572 XP: Another top contender in the 70cc range, offering high power output and durability. Its anti-vibration system is particularly effective, reducing fatigue during long cutting sessions.
Stihl MS 661 C-M: If you need even more power, the MS 661 is a great option. It’s a heavier saw, but its 91.1cc engine can handle the toughest hardwoods with ease.

These saws aren’t cheap, but they are an investment. A high-quality chainsaw will last for years with proper maintenance and will make your job much easier and safer.

Chain Type and Maintenance

The chain is just as important as the saw itself. For oak and ash, I recommend using a full-chisel chain. Full-chisel chains have square corners on the cutting teeth, making them more aggressive and efficient at cutting through hardwoods. However, they also require more frequent sharpening.

Chain Sharpening: Sharpen your chain regularly. A dull chain is not only less efficient but also more dangerous. I typically sharpen my chain after every tank of gas when cutting oak or ash.
Chain Tension: Maintain proper chain tension. A loose chain can derail and cause serious injury. A too-tight chain can overheat and break.
Chain Lubrication: Use a high-quality bar and chain oil. Proper lubrication is essential for extending the life of your chain and bar.

Bar Selection and Maintenance

The bar itself requires attention. Make sure the bar rails are clean and free of burrs. Use a bar-dressing tool to keep the rails smooth and square. Rotate the bar regularly to ensure even wear.

Wood Anatomy and Properties: Oak vs. Ash

Understanding the characteristics of oak and ash is crucial for efficient and safe cutting. These hardwoods have distinct properties that affect how they respond to a chainsaw.

Oak: The King of Hardwoods

Oak is renowned for its strength, durability, and density. It’s a popular choice for furniture, flooring, and construction. However, its density also makes it challenging to cut.

Density: Oak has a density of around 0.75 g/cm³, making it one of the denser hardwoods. This means it requires more power to cut through.
Grain: Oak has a prominent grain pattern, which can sometimes cause the chain to bind or kickback.
Moisture Content: Green oak (freshly cut) can have a moisture content of over 50%. As it dries, the moisture content decreases, making it harder to cut.

Ash: The Flexible Hardwood

Ash is known for its flexibility, strength, and shock resistance. It’s commonly used for tool handles, baseball bats, and other applications where these properties are important.

Density: Ash has a density of around 0.67 g/cm³, slightly less than oak. This makes it a bit easier to cut.
Grain: Ash has a straight, even grain, which makes it less prone to binding or kickback compared to oak.
Moisture Content: Similar to oak, green ash can have a high moisture content. However, ash tends to dry more quickly than oak.

Cutting Strategies for Oak and Ash

Given their different properties, oak and ash require slightly different cutting strategies.

Oak: Use a sharp, full-chisel chain and maintain a steady cutting speed. Avoid forcing the saw, as this can cause it to bind. Make sure to keep the chain properly lubricated.
Ash: Ash is generally easier to cut than oak, but it’s still important to use a sharp chain and maintain proper cutting technique. Be mindful of the straight grain, as it can sometimes cause the wood to split unexpectedly.

Felling Techniques: Precision and Safety

Felling large oak and ash trees requires careful planning and execution. Safety should always be your top priority.

Planning the Fell

Before you even start your chainsaw, take the time to assess the tree and its surroundings.

Lean: Determine the natural lean of the tree. This will influence the direction of the fall.
Obstacles: Identify any obstacles in the path of the fall, such as power lines, buildings, or other trees.
Escape Route: Plan your escape route. You should have a clear path away from the tree at a 45-degree angle to the direction of the fall.

Making the Cuts

The felling process involves making a series of precise cuts to control the direction of the fall.

Notch Cut: The notch cut is a wedge-shaped cut that determines the direction of the fall. It should be about 1/3 of the tree’s diameter.
Hinge: The hinge is a strip of uncut wood that controls the fall of the tree. It should be about 10% of the tree’s diameter.
Back Cut: The back cut is made on the opposite side of the tree from the notch cut. It should be slightly higher than the notch cut, leaving the hinge intact.

Using Wedges

For larger trees, you may need to use felling wedges to help direct the fall. Drive the wedges into the back cut to lift the tree and encourage it to fall in the desired direction.

Avoiding Kickback

Kickback is one of the most common and dangerous chainsaw injuries. It occurs when the tip of the bar contacts an object, causing the saw to suddenly kick back towards the operator.

Avoid Contact: Never let the tip of the bar contact anything while the saw is running.
Proper Stance: Maintain a firm grip on the saw and stand to the side of the cutting path.
Anti-Kickback Chain: Use a chain with anti-kickback features.

Limbing and Bucking: Turning Trees into Logs

Once the tree is on the ground, the next step is to remove the branches (limbing) and cut the trunk into manageable lengths (bucking).

Limbing Techniques

Limbing can be dangerous, as branches can be under tension and spring back when cut.

Cut from the Top: Start by cutting branches on the top side of the tree. This will allow the branches to fall away from you.
Support Branches: Support large branches before cutting them to prevent them from pinching the bar.
Be Aware of Tension: Be careful when cutting branches that are under tension. Make a relief cut on the compression side before cutting through the tension side.

Bucking Techniques

Bucking involves cutting the trunk into logs of a desired length.

Support the Log: Make sure the log is properly supported before cutting it. This will prevent it from pinching the bar.
Cut from the Top: Start by cutting from the top side of the log. Cut about 1/3 of the way through, then roll the log over and finish the cut from the bottom.
Use a Measuring Tool: Use a measuring tool to ensure that the logs are the correct length.

Firewood Preparation: Seasoning and Splitting

If you’re planning to use the oak and ash for firewood, you’ll need to season it properly.

Seasoning Firewood

Seasoning involves drying the wood to reduce its moisture content. This makes it easier to burn and increases its heat output.

Stacking: Stack the firewood in a single row, allowing air to circulate around each piece.
Elevated: Elevate the wood off the ground to prevent moisture from wicking up from the soil.
Covered: Cover the top of the stack to protect it from rain and snow.

Oak typically takes 12-24 months to season properly, while ash can be seasoned in 6-12 months.

Splitting Firewood

Splitting firewood makes it easier to handle and speeds up the seasoning process.

Manual Splitting: Use a splitting maul or axe to split the wood by hand.
Hydraulic Splitter: Use a hydraulic splitter to split the wood with ease.

Hydraulic splitters can significantly increase your efficiency, especially when dealing with large quantities of wood.

Safety Gear: Protecting Yourself

Safety gear is essential when working with chainsaws. Always wear the following:

Helmet: Protects your head from falling branches and debris.
Eye Protection: Protects your eyes from flying wood chips.
Hearing Protection: Protects your ears from the loud noise of the chainsaw.
Gloves: Protects your hands from cuts and abrasions.
Chaps: Protects your legs from chainsaw cuts.
Steel-Toed Boots: Protects your feet from falling logs and sharp objects.

Chainsaw Maintenance: Extending the Life of Your Saw

Regular maintenance is crucial for extending the life of your chainsaw.

Air Filter: Clean the air filter regularly to ensure proper airflow to the engine.
Spark Plug: Replace the spark plug annually.
Fuel Filter: Replace the fuel filter annually.
Bar and Chain Oil: Use a high-quality bar and chain oil and keep the oil reservoir full.
Sharpening: Sharpen the chain regularly.
Cleaning: Clean the chainsaw after each use.

Case Study: Felling a Large Oak Tree

I once had to fell a massive oak tree that was threatening a house. The tree was over 4 feet in diameter and had a significant lean towards the house. It was a challenging job, but with careful planning and execution, we were able to fell the tree safely and without causing any damage to the property.

Assessment: We started by assessing the tree and its surroundings. We determined the lean of the tree and identified any obstacles in the path of the fall.
Planning: We planned our felling cuts and escape route. We also decided to use felling wedges to help direct the fall.
Execution: We made the notch cut, hinge, and back cut. We then drove the felling wedges into the back cut to lift the tree and encourage it to fall in the desired direction.

The tree fell exactly where we wanted it to, and we were able to remove it without any problems.

Cost-Benefit Analysis: Chainsaw vs. While manual labor can be a good option for small-scale projects, a chainsaw can significantly increase your efficiency and reduce the amount of time and effort required.

Chainsaw: A good quality chainsaw can cost anywhere from $500 to $1500. However, it can save you a significant amount of time and effort, especially when dealing with large quantities of wood.

Manual Labor: Manual labor is free, but it can be time-consuming and physically demanding. It’s a good option for small-scale projects or for those who enjoy the exercise.

In most cases, the benefits of using a chainsaw outweigh the costs, especially for professional arborists or those who process large quantities of wood.

Industry Statistics: Chainsaw Usage and Safety

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, chainsaws cause approximately 30,000 injuries each year. Most of these injuries are preventable with proper training and safety precautions.

Training: Take a chainsaw safety course to learn proper techniques and safety procedures.
Safety Gear: Always wear appropriate safety gear when operating a chainsaw.
Maintenance: Keep your chainsaw in good working condition.

Environmental Considerations: Sustainable Logging Practices

It’s important to consider the environmental impact of logging and firewood preparation.

Selective Logging: Practice selective logging to minimize the impact on the forest.
Reforestation: Reforest logged areas to ensure the long-term health of the forest.
Sustainable Firewood: Use sustainable firewood sources to reduce the impact on the environment.

Addressing Global Challenges: DIY Solutions for Small Workshops

Many small workshops and DIYers around the world face challenges such as limited access to equipment and resources. Here are a few DIY solutions that can help:

Homemade Chainsaw Mill: Build a homemade chainsaw mill to turn logs into lumber.
DIY Hydraulic Splitter: Build a DIY hydraulic splitter using readily available materials.
Repurposed Equipment: Repurpose old equipment to create new tools and machines.

Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Chainsawing Oak and Ash

Using a 36-inch bar chainsaw for oak and ash is a serious undertaking, but with the right knowledge, equipment, and techniques, you can tackle these hardwoods safely and efficiently. Remember to prioritize safety, maintain your equipment, and practice sustainable logging practices.

Key Takeaways

Match the chainsaw to the task. A 36-inch bar requires a powerful saw (70cc+).
Understand the properties of oak and ash to optimize your cutting strategies.
Plan your felling cuts carefully and always prioritize safety.
Season firewood properly to increase its heat output.
Invest in quality safety gear and maintain your equipment regularly.

Next Steps

Take a chainsaw safety course.
Inspect and maintain your chainsaw.
Plan your next wood processing project.

Equipped with these insights, you’re well on your way to becoming a pro at handling oak and ash with your 36-inch bar chainsaw. Happy cutting!