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Life As a Faller

Occupation 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.

Life As a Faller: What Do They Do?

  • Tag unsafe trees with high-visibility ribbons.
  • Trim off the tops and limbs of trees, using chainsaws, delimbers, or axes.
  • Appraise trees for certain characteristics, such as twist, rot, and heavy limb growth, and gauge amount and direction of lean, to determine how to control the direction of a tree’s fall with the least damage.
  • Assess logs after cutting to ensure that the quality and length are correct.
  • Insert jacks or drive wedges behind saws to prevent binding of saws and to start trees falling.
  • Maintain and repair chainsaws and other equipment, cleaning, oiling, and greasing equipment, and sharpening equipment properly.

What Every Faller Should Know

Fallers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

  • Feller Buncher Operator
  • Cutter Operator
  • Feller Operator
  • High Climber
  • Lumberman

Are There Job Opportunities for Fallers?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 7,500 jobs in the United States for Faller. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Faller. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 800 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Faller are Kentucky, Maryland, and Oregon. Watch out if you plan on working in Georgia, Alaska, or South Carolina. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does a Faller Make?

The average yearly salary of a Faller ranges between $27,080 and $78,500.

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Fallers who work in New York, Oregon, or Montana, make the highest salaries.

How much do Fallers make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $44,320
Alaska $59,680
Arkansas $55,050
California $56,720
Colorado $29,650
Georgia $42,570
Idaho $43,170
Indiana $53,620
Louisiana $39,320
Maryland $41,480
Massachusetts $45,480
Michigan $36,670
Minnesota $45,010
Mississippi $48,700
Missouri $39,910
Montana $65,560
New Hampshire $45,240
New York $63,040
North Carolina $56,500
Ohio $29,130
Oregon $67,560
Pennsylvania $33,170
Tennessee $38,020
Texas $50,220
Vermont $40,810
Virginia $42,120
Washington $66,870
West Virginia $38,620

What Tools do Fallers Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Fallers:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office
  • ESRI ArcView
  • BCS Woodlands Software The Logger Tracker

How do I Become a Faller?

Individuals working as a Faller have obtained the following education levels:

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Faller?

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Who Employs Fallers?

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those interested in being a Faller may also be interested in:

References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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