Choosing the right tools will help you accomplish the job more accurately while preventing any hazards. While you can safely use an axe to chop down a small tree, larger trees will require a chainsaw. But, before starting up your chainsaw, you should be completely familiar with its use, and check if it is working properly. For trees with a trunk diameter of 18 inches or more, you'll also need felling wedges. Wooden felling wedges prevent the tree from pinching onto your chainsaw or leaning back towards you instead of falling away during the final cut.