Cutting down a tree is a major job, but it's not as difficult as you may imagine. You can safely down a tree on your own if you have the proper equipment and take certain precautions. Continue reading for a step-by-step walkthrough of this simple procedure. The first thing you need to know is that trees grow tall because of their trunks, not their leaves. The thicker the trunk, the more food reserves the tree has access to during droughts, which means it can grow taller. However, thinning out most of the branches will make the tree safer to work with when you do need to cut it back. Thinning also makes the tree less likely to die from injury once you have removed all visible signs of its roots. Trees have many vital organs inside their trunks. At the top of most trees you will find the branch point where all the main branches off into smaller ones that eventually lead to the ground or other trees. This is called the "crown" of the tree. Beneath the crown are the trunk muscles and arteries that supply blood to the surface of the tree. These areas should never be touched when cutting down a tree, since any material trapped within could cause serious injury or even death to the tree. Chopting down a tree is easy if you use a chainsaw. First, locate a sturdy tree with a thick trunk.