Tree Cutting Wedges: The $10 Tool That Can Save a $10,000 Job

It’s Tool Tuesday again, and today we’re taking a closer look at what may be the most underrated tool in tree cutting — the wedge.

Made from tough composite plastics, wedges play a crucial role in everything from tree felling to log bucking. At Red Mountain Rigging, we often say that wedges punch far above their weight — they’re inexpensive, lightweight, and versatile, but absolutely critical to doing the job right and safely.

What Is a Tree Cutting Wedge and Why Do We Use It?

In simple terms, a wedge is a tapered tool that helps lift, guide, or hold open sections of a tree or log during cutting.

Here’s why our crews at Red Mountain Rigging never go to a job without them:

• They help control tree direction during felling
  
  
• They prevent bar pinching during bucking
  
  
• They help retrieve stuck chainsaws
  
  
• They allow additional leverage when climbing or limbing
  
  

Let’s break it down further with the two main wedge types we use: bucking wedges and felling wedges.

Bucking Wedges: Keeping Chainsaws Free and Cuts Clean

When you’re cutting a log on the ground (aka bucking), you’re working against the forces of tension and compression within the wood.

Why Bucking Wedges Matter:

• In areas of compression, the cut can close in and pinch your chainsaw bar.
  
  
• A bucking wedge slipped behind the bar keeps the kerf (cut) open.
  
  
• If your bar gets stuck, a wedge tapped in can help free the saw.
  
  

At Red Mountain Rigging, we use the Pocket Wedge by Notch for bucking. It’s compact, tough, and always on hand when we’re processing large logs after a tree is down.

Felling Wedges: Controlling the Direction of a Tree’s Fall

When it comes to bringing down a standing tree, felling wedges are a game-changer.

How They Work:

• Placed in the back cut of the tree
  
  
• Driven in with a hammer or axe to lift the tree
  
  
• Used to overcome back-lean, adjust direction, or gain extra leverage
  
  
• Help ensure the tree falls safely and precisely where intended
  
  

Design Features of Felling Wedges:

• Textured side (dogs) grips the stump to prevent slippage
  
  
• Angled design allows progressive lift with each strike
  
  
• Stackable for extra lift in tough jobs
  
  

Pro Tip: If the back of your wedge starts to rise as you’re cutting, it means the tree is leaning more onto the wedge and bar. Time to drive the wedge and guide it the right way.

Stacking Wedges: When One Isn’t Enough

When facing heavily back-leaning trees, we sometimes stack two wedges. This adds more lift and encourages the tree’s gravitational mass to move past center, so gravity can finish the job.

This is especially useful when:

• Trees are leaning opposite the intended fall path
  
  
• You’re working on uneven terrain
  
  
• Rotten sections make traditional hinge wood unreliable
  
  

In those tougher situations, the “rigging” part of Red Mountain Rigging comes into play — ropes, blocks, and mechanical advantage systems help support or pull the tree in tandem with wedge work.

Climbing with Wedges: Tree Work from Above

We also carry compact wedges when climbing — like the orange Notch wedge with a carabiner loop — to help dislodge stuck branches or influence how pieces break away as we cut them from above.

These small wedges give our climbers the edge when dealing with stubborn wood or unpredictable hang-ups in the canopy.

Brands We Trust for Tree Cutting Wedges

Our go-to wedge brands include:

• Oregon – Reliable and budget-friendly
  
  
• Notch – Great for compact and specialty wedges
  
  
• Timber Tuff – Durable with solid gripping features
  
  
• Stihl – Consistent quality and compatibility with our tools
  
  

Each brand has unique features, but durability, grip, and usability are what we prioritize.

FAQs About Wedges for Tree Cutting in Calgary

What are wedges used for in tree cutting?
Wedges help control tree direction when felling, keep cuts open when bucking logs, and assist climbers when removing limbs.

Can I fell a tree without a wedge?
Technically, yes — but it’s risky. Without a wedge, you lose control over the tree’s lean, and there’s a higher chance of bar pinching or dangerous backfall.

What’s the difference between a bucking wedge and a felling wedge?
Bucking wedges are smooth for easy insertion; felling wedges have gripping textures to bite into wood and resist popping out.

Do you always use wedges when cutting trees in Calgary?
Not always, but almost always. Especially with urban trees and close-quarters removals, wedges provide safety and control.

How many wedges should I carry?
Most arborists carry at least two — a small wedge for climbing/bucking and a larger wedge (or two) for felling.

Why Wedges Matter for Homeowners Hiring Tree Services

You might not care which wedge your arborist uses — but you should care that they use them at all. Here’s why:

• It means the crew is working safely and professionally
  
  
• It shows awareness of best practices like ANSI Z133
  
  
• It helps prevent accidents, damage to property, and botched jobs
  
  
• It reflects a level of experience you want in your yard
  
  

When you hire Red Mountain Rigging, you’re getting a team that uses all the right tools — and knows how to use them.

Final Thoughts: Small Tools, Big Impact

Wedges may seem simple, but they’re at the heart of every safe and efficient tree removal. From lifting a tree onto its fall path to saving a bar from getting stuck mid-cut, these humble tools are essential for every arborist’s toolkit.

Next time you see one of our crews working in your neighbourhood, keep an eye out — chances are, you’ll spot a wedge in action.

Need a tree taken down, trimmed, or assessed? Contact Red Mountain Rigging today for a free quote. We’ll bring the tools — and the expertise — to get the job done right.