Tree Felling Safely Using Ground Protection Mats

By Justrite Safety Group
Aug 28, 2025

Felling a Tree? OSHA Says Safety Starts from the Ground Up

Tree felling equipment on ground protection mats

Tree felling is one of the most hazardous tasks in tree care and logging. In fact, more people are killed while tree cutting than in any other logging activity, according to OSHA. Their Tree Trimming Safety Fact Sheet outlines essential precautions for eliminating risks, from power line hazards to unstable trees. One critical piece of the puzzle that often goes unmentioned is the condition of the ground.

Whether you are working after a storm, near utilities, or on soft soil, ground protection mats offer a layer of safety that supports OSHA recommendations and helps prevent injuries on the job.

Why Ground Conditions Matter When Cutting Down Trees

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Felling a tree is not just about making the right cut. It is about controlling the direction of the fall, maintaining situational awareness, and having a safe retreat path. But when the ground beneath you is uneven, wet, or soft, your footing and your control can be compromised.

OSHA urges crews to:

Perform a full hazard assessment before starting work
Identify hazards in and around the tree, including broken limbs, attached vines, or pressure from leaning trees
Provide a clear retreat path for the logger
Avoid felling into other trees or objects
Use extreme caution near power lines, assuming all are energized

Each of these steps depends on having a stable, safe surface on which to work.

How to Fell a Tree Safely with Ground Protection Mats

Ground protection mats are heavy-duty panels that distribute weight and create a stable, slip-resistant surface for workers and equipment. Used underfoot or beneath vehicles such as bucket trucks and skid steers, mats help reduce ground pressure and prevent ruts, slips, and equipment instability.

They support OSHA’s felling guidelines by:

Improving footing for retreat paths, even on wet or uneven terrain
Stabilizing equipment movement and preventing tip-overs or sudden shifts
Protecting roots and underground utilities, especially near energized power lines
Creating defined work zones and improving hazard awareness and crew coordination

Tree Felling Risks: Spring Poles and Pressurized Trees

OSHA warns about spring poles, which refer to trees, saplings or limbs of a tree bent under pressure that can snap back suddenly, as well as broken trees or sections under tension. A stable base is essential for safely making small relief cuts and assessing which way the pressure is moving. If your footing is compromised during that process, you are at much greater risk of injury.

Ground Protection Matting Is Essential in Tough Terrain

When working post-hurricane, in storm cleanup, or along residential streets, the terrain is rarely perfect. Mud, soft soil, or displaced roots can turn a simple felling job into a serious hazard. Ground protection mats reduce that risk and help you maintain control from the first cut to the final cleanup.

Reasons to Choose Checkers Ground Protection Mats for Tree Felling

While outdoor environments may be unpredictable, Checkers heavy-duty ground protection mats are engineered to meet the demands of professional arborists, utility crews, and emergency responders for multiple reasons:

Heavy-Duty Load Capacity — Checkers mats support the weight of bucket trucks, cranes, and skid steers without warping or breaking, even on soft or saturated soil.
Slip-Resistant Surface — With aggressive tread options like AlturnaMAT and dual-sided VersaMAT, workers get enhanced traction whether on foot or operating equipment.
Reliable in Any Weather — From post-storm recovery to routine removals, Checkers mats perform in mud, snow, and rain. They keep your retreat paths and access routes stable and safe.
Fast Setup, Long-Term Value — Lightweight and easy to deploy, Checkers mats reduce downtime while protecting turf and hardscapes. They are reusable, stackable, and built for years of rugged use.
Ideal for Utility and Storm Work — When felling trees near energized lines or unstable areas, mats help define safe zones and reduce the risk of equipment shift or sinkage. This supports OSHA’s top safety priorities.

If a Tree Fell in the Woods without Ground Protection Mats, Does It Fall Safely?

Truck for tree felling on ground protection mats

To fell a tree safely, OSHA emphasizes planning, awareness, and hazard control. Ground protection mats help fulfill those expectations by securing the most overlooked part of the job: the ground itself.