Tree Feller
841313 · Heavy Next-day ready Career data Verified
Tree fallers select and cut down trees using chainsaws to prepare them for extraction and processing into logs.
Most common salary $63k – $97k
Upper salary up to $117k
Training 0-2 years
Description
Fells trees in forests, and trims and saws them into logs.
Typical work tasks
- Fells and de-barks non-productive trees and thins young plantations; removes major branches and tree tops, trims branches and saws trunks into logs; assists with loading and transporting logs; plans the felling of trees and determines the natural and intended fall of each tree; clears surrounding area of saplings and debris prior to tree-felling; operates and maintains manual and machine saws to fell trees and to cut felled trees into logs.
Typical work environment
- Works outdoors and in almost all weather conditions.
- Works in commercial or farm forestry blocks where trees are clear or selectively felled.
- Protective clothing, inclusive of hard hats, gloves, ear-muffs and steel-capped footwear is used.
- May work in remote areas and logging is generally considered to be a high-danger industry for accidents.
Typical physical and mental demands
- Heavy physical demand
- Constantly stands and walks about the worksite.
- Sitting is not a significant component of the job.
- Frequently stretches up or across for many tasks such as reaching for branches, climbing up trees or securing logs and equipment.
- Squatting or crouching and kneeling is likely to be frequent for some tasks such as fixing or setting equipment such as chainsaws, fixing ropes and tackle to logs or tree limbs.
- Twisting of the body or neck is frequent if operating logging equipment such as crawler tractors and skidders and observing behind the vehicle when reversing.
- Bends frequently for many logging activities.
- Substantial contact with skin irritants or water is uncommon
- Heavy lifting and carrying of tree limbs, wire ropes and cutting equipment such as chainsaws is constant and often for prolonged periods when cutting through tree trunks and driving in wedges.
- Repetitive hand and arm movements are frequent for tasks such as de-limbing.
- Driving and operation of a variety of specialised logging equipment including crawler tractors, logging trucks and loaders are frequent for some forestry workers.
- The use of hand tools such as various axes and wedges and motor-driven chainsaws, as well as large wire ropes and cables is frequent.
- Mental skills necessary include communication and technical skills.
Entry signal Reviewed
Enter via experience or on-the-job training; no mandatory pre-entry qualification. A licence may be required for some roles or employers. Flagged next-day ready.
Entry barrier Experience or on-job training
Licence / registration Licence may be required
ANZSCO skill level 4
Next-day ready Yes
How this was determined (model-generated): Entry via experience/on-job training; 'registration or licensing may be required' is conditional, not a core gate.
Entry Requirements
- A New Zealand Register Level 2 or 3 qualification or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4). In some instances relevant experience may be required in addition to the formal qualification. For entry-level positions on-the-job training may be sufficient.
- Registration or licensing may be required.
Further Comments
- There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.