Following serious wintery weather filled with ice scooping chores, scraping the roof and other tiresome tasks, there remains one more thing to do - cleaning up the remains of the winter season. The best way to deal with the weak and rotton branches from trees is of course to use a Chainsaw. It can be one hell of a time if your chainsaw is not prepared for the job. Being a newbie to the chainsawing world, I thought I'd share my experiences with you, to help you prevent some of the mistakes I've made, and to give some reassureance. They are, after all, quite scary things to use if you're not too confident with them.

Here is what you can do:

Warming it up

The chainsaw is a hand tool that has a small engine (unless it's an electric model, in which case I think your job will be made easier). It uses petrol and mostly it refuses to start once it has been through the winter season. If you remembered to put Fuel Stabilizer in for storage, then you will not have a problem starting it up. Oil fuel stabilizer is typically found in 2 stroke oil  that should be combined with the gas.

Other than that, before trying to restart the chainsaw, you should empty any gas in it ahead of putting in any petrol. Ethanol-free petrol is deemed the best, which you shouldn't have any trouble tracking down.

Changing minor parts

Petrol chainsaws use a spark plug that should be changed if it's causing you issues. The chain saw also has an air filter, which should be changed annually.

Test the Chain

If you have only used your chainsaw once or a few times, it is possible to use it without having to sharpen the blades or taking it to a specialist to do it for you. It is easy to know if the blades are sharp enough. Blunt blades gather more sawdust since they will grind the tree rather than cutting them cleanly. Lastly, ensure that the tension is changed regularly and the chain is lubricated. These two practices aid in averting kickback whilst decreasing the level of depreciation of the chain, plus the bar that supports it, so it's well worth paying attention to.

Don't forget about Safety. Ensure that you have all the safety gear you need to operate your chainsaw safely. Safety clothes must be well-fitting, boots should be strong - ideally with steel toe caps.

Keep your hands safe (you only get one set!)- wear safety hand gloves and get tough shoes. The face should be safe under the helmet and earmuffs. Your personal safety is paramount.