DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
45-4021 Fallers
Occupational Description:
Use axes or chainsaws to fell trees using knowledge of tree characteristics and cutting techniques to control direction of fall and minimize tree damage.| Percentiles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| Minnesota | N/A | N/A | $22.54/hr | $1.47/hr | $18.65/hr | $20.67/hr | $22.36/hr | $24.06/hr | $25.07/hr |
| U S | 4,890 | 621 | $24.23/hr | $1.02/hr | $15.04/hr | $17.24/hr | $21.78/hr | $30.16/hr | $38.51/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change 2023 - 2025 | |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | 9,950 | $36.21/hr | 4.2% |
| Pipelayers | 720 | $31.77/hr | 4.3% |
| Crane and Tower Operators | 460 | $26.04/hr | 5.2% |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | 110 | $44.97/hr | -3.2% |
Tasks for Fallers
- Scores cutting lines with ax, saws undercut along scored lines with chain saw, and knocks slabs from cuts with ax.
- Inserts jacks or drives wedge behind saw to prevent binding of saw and start tree falling.
- Cuts felled trees into log lengths, using chain saw and ax.
- Stops saw engine as tree falls, pulls cutting bar from cut, and runs to safe location to avoid injury.
- Splits logs, using ax, wedges, and maul, and stacks wood in rick or cord lots.
- Clears brush from work area and escape route, and cuts sapling and other trees from direction of fall, using ax and chain saw.
- Secures cables to logs, and drives tractor to drag logs to landing.
- Appraises tree for characteristics, such as twist, rot, and heavy limb growth, and gauges amount and direction of lean.
- Tags unsafe trees with high visibility ribbon.
- Loads logs or wood onto trucks, by hand or using winch.
- Places supporting limbs or poles under felled tree to avoid splitting underside and to prevent log from rolling.
- Measures and marks felled trees for cutting into log lengths.
- Determines position, direction, and depth of cuts to be made, and placement of wedges or jacks.
- Cuts limbs from felled trees, using chain saw or ax.
- Saws back-cuts, leaving sufficient sound wood to control direction of fall.
