A big tree can swallow a short guide bar and drag down an undersized engine. Once the full chain enters thick oak, maple, gum, fir, or pine, weak power becomes clear. Engine speed falls, chips shrink, heat rises, and the operator starts forcing the saw through wood.
The STIHL MS 500i is the best chainsaw for big trees for most professional cutters. Its 79.2cc fuel-injected engine produces 6.8 horsepower, yet the bare powerhead weighs only 14 pounds. The Husqvarna 592 XP is the better pick for trunks that call for a 32-inch or 36-inch bar. Buyers seeking a lower-cost large-tree saw should consider the ECHO CS-7310P.
Premium Chainsaws for Big Trees
| Chainsaw | Best Job | Engine | Powerhead Weight | Bar Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STIHL MS 500i | Best overall for big trees | 79.2cc, 6.8 hp | 14 lb | Commonly paired with 20 to 32-inch bars |
| Husqvarna 592 XP | Very large trunks | 92.7cc, 7.6 hp | 16.3 lb | 18 to 36 inches |
| ECHO CS-7310P | Best lower-cost professional pick | 73.5cc | 14.8 lb | 20 to 32 inches |
| Husqvarna 572 XP | Best lighter 70cc-class saw | 70.6cc, 5.8 hp | 14.5 lb | 15 to 28 inches |
| STIHL MS 661 MAGNUM | Traditional 90cc professional saw | 91.1cc, 7.3 hp | 16.4 lb | 16 to 36 inches |
| STIHL MS 881 MAGNUM | Giant timber and chainsaw milling | 121.6cc, 8.7 hp | 21.4 lb | Up to 41 inches in standard US trim |
1. STIHL MS 500i: Best Chainsaw for Big Trees Overall
The STIHL MS 500i combines the pulling force of a large professional saw with the body weight of many smaller machines. Its 79.2cc engine produces 6.8 horsepower. The bare powerhead weighs 14 pounds.
That power-to-weight balance makes the MS 500i a strong choice for felling, bucking, storm cleanup, and hardwood cutting. It can pull a 28-inch bar through broad trunks without feeling like an iron anchor at the end of the operator’s arms.
Electronic fuel injection replaces a normal carburettor. The engine responds quickly when the throttle opens and adjusts fuel delivery as working conditions change. Fast acceleration helps during bore cuts and short repeated cuts around the trunk.
The saw is especially well suited to hardwood. Oak, hickory, maple, beech, gum, and locust need strong chain speed once the full bar enters the cut. The MS 500i holds its speed better than most 70cc landowner saws.
A 25-inch or 28-inch bar is the sweet match for ordinary large-tree work. These lengths give the operator enough reach for mature timber without the front weight of a 32-inch or 36-inch setup. A lightweight bar can make the saw feel quicker during limbing and stump work.
The MS 500i costs more than the ECHO CS-7310P. Current US pricing starts near $1,760 before longer cutting gear and accessories are added. The higher price buys lower weight, rapid throttle response, and strong output from a compact body.
This is the best single saw for a professional who cuts both medium and large timber. It has enough muscle for thick trunks but remains manageable during a full workday.
Check STIHL MS 500i listings and accessories on Amazon
2. Husqvarna 592 XP: Best for Very Large Trees
The Husqvarna 592 XP belongs in the 90cc professional class. Its 92.7cc engine produces 7.6 horsepower, while the bare powerhead weighs 16.3 pounds. Husqvarna approves guide bars from 18 to 36 inches.
This is the better pick when 28-inch, 32-inch, and 36-inch bars are normal rather than occasional. The engine has enough force to carry a long chain through wide softwood and hardwood trunks without losing speed as quickly as a 70cc machine.
AutoTune controls the fuel mixture during use. It responds to changes in elevation, temperature, fuel, and air-filter condition. A faller can move from a cold morning into a warmer afternoon without stopping to adjust carburettor screws.
The 592 XP has a slim body for a saw of this size. The front handle gives good control during felling cuts, bore cuts, and work around large root flares. Its heavy-duty air cleaner is made for long days in bark dust and dry wood chips.
A 28-inch bar gives the machine a lively feel and suits thick hardwood. A 32-inch lightweight bar is the best general pairing for large western softwood, mature hardwood, and broad storm-fallen trees. Move to 36 inches only when the trunk width calls for the reach.
A long bar does more than add length. It adds chain weight, rail drag, oil demand, and leverage against the operator’s hands. The 592 XP has the engine and oiling capacity for that job, but every extra inch can be felt during limbing.
Choose the 592 XP for professional felling, large timber, long-bar bucking, and crews that already have Husqvarna dealer care nearby.
Check Husqvarna 592 XP listings and cutting gear on Amazon
3. ECHO CS-7310P: Best Lower-Cost Professional Saw for Big Trees
The ECHO CS-7310P gives landowners and working cutters a 73.5cc professional powerhead without the purchase cost of the STIHL MS 500i or Husqvarna 592 XP.
ECHO sells it with 20-inch, 24-inch, 28-inch, and 32-inch bars. The dry powerhead weighs 14.8 pounds. Its adjustable oil pump feeds longer bars, while the 12.2-ounce oil tank holds enough lubricant for extended cutting.
The engine uses a conventional carburettor and digital ignition. Owners who prefer ordinary two-stroke repair may like this setup. It does not depend on electronic fuel injection or computer-controlled carburettor adjustment.
The CS-7310P works best with a 24-inch or 28-inch bar. A 24-inch loop gives it quick chain response for hardwood firewood and medium felling. A 28-inch bar adds reach for large trunks while staying within the engine’s natural working range.
The 32-inch option is useful for occasional broad timber. The saw will not pull a buried 32-inch chain with the same force as the 92.7cc Husqvarna, especially in dry hardwood. Sharp cutters and a skip-tooth chain can reduce some of that load.
ECHO backs the saw with a five-year consumer warranty and a one-year commercial warranty in the United States. This makes it especially appealing to private woodland owners who need professional engine size but do not run the saw every day.
Choose the CS-7310P for farms, firewood businesses, storm timber, land clearing, and large private properties. It is the best buy when engine size and repair simplicity carry more weight than the lightest possible body.
Check ECHO CS-7310P listings on Amazon
4. Husqvarna 572 XP: Best 70cc Saw for Long Days
The Husqvarna 572 XP is smaller than the 592 XP but easier to carry through a full day of felling, limbing, and bucking. Its 70.6cc engine produces 5.8 horsepower. The bare powerhead weighs 14.5 pounds.
Husqvarna approves bars up to 28 inches. A 20-inch or 24-inch setup gives the saw quick handling, while a 28-inch lightweight bar adds reach for broad trunks.
The 572 XP is a strong choice for trees from roughly 20 to 30 inches across. It can cut wider wood from more than one side, though a 90cc saw feels stronger when a long bar stays buried for much of the day.
AutoTune handles fuel adjustment. The cooling layout and heavy-duty filter suit professional use in warm weather and dusty timber. The narrow body also feels natural when the operator moves around a felled trunk to remove limbs.
The 572 XP may finish more work than a heavier saw when much of the day is spent carrying, limbing, and making short cuts. A huge engine saves time inside the trunk, but added weight takes energy between cuts.
Choose the 572 XP when most trees fit a 24-inch or 28-inch bar and only a small part of the work calls for 90cc power.
Check Husqvarna 572 XP listings on Amazon
5. STIHL MS 661 MAGNUM: Best Traditional 90cc-Class Saw
The STIHL MS 661 MAGNUM uses a 91.1cc engine rated at 7.3 horsepower. Its bare powerhead weighs 16.4 pounds. STIHL sells versions with standard fuel control and versions with M-Tronic electronic carburettor management.
The standard MS 661 appeals to cutters who want a proven large engine without electronic fuel control. It can run bars from 16 to 36 inches, though 28-inch and 32-inch setups make the most sense for large timber.
The adjustable automatic oiler helps with long-bar work. More bar length means more rail area and a longer chain. Both need a healthy oil supply during full-width cuts.
This saw has enough torque for hardwood, broad conifers, big stumps, and chainsaw milling. It is also a common choice for fallers who want a 90cc powerhead but do not need the size of an MS 881.
The standard model starts near $1,850 in the United States. Longer bars, chain loops, full-wrap handles, and large felling dogs can raise the final price.
Choose the MS 661 when you want strong long-bar pull and traditional engine control. Pick the MS 500i when lower powerhead weight matters more. Pick the Husqvarna 592 XP when a 36-inch bar will be used often.
Check STIHL MS 661 accessories and cutting gear on Amazon
6. STIHL MS 881 MAGNUM: Best for Giant Timber and Milling
The STIHL MS 881 MAGNUM is the largest production saw in the STIHL range. Its 121.6cc engine produces 8.7 horsepower. The powerhead alone weighs 21.4 pounds.
This is not the normal answer for a large backyard tree. It is built for giant trunks, huge stumps, wide chainsaw mills, and jobs where smaller powerheads cannot pull enough bar and chain.
STIHL sells standard US packages with bars up to 41 inches. Specialist bars can be longer when fitted for milling or other trained work. Extra-long setups may need an auxiliary oil feed at the far end of the bar.
The engine has enough force to pull heavy .404-inch chain. That cutting set has larger drive links and a heavier chassis than standard 3/8-inch chain. It stands up well to long bars and repeated work in broad timber.
The saw’s weight becomes tiring during ordinary felling and limbing. A 14-pound MS 500i feels far easier when a 28-inch bar can complete the job. The MS 881 earns its place only when the wood truly calls for its size.
Current US pricing starts near $2,680. Add a long bar, several chains, a mill, auxiliary oiler, wedges, and protective clothing, and the complete package can pass $4,000.
Choose the MS 881 for timber that defeats normal 70cc and 90cc saws. Do not buy it merely to own the largest machine. In ordinary trees, its weight can slow the operator more than its engine saves time.
Check MS 881 milling equipment and long-bar gear on Amazon
How Much Engine Power Do Big Trees Need?
| Tree Diameter | Useful Engine Class | Common Bar Length |
|---|---|---|
| 16 to 22 inches | 50cc to 60cc | 18 to 24 inches |
| 22 to 30 inches | 60cc to 75cc | 24 to 28 inches |
| 30 to 40 inches | 75cc to 95cc | 28 to 36 inches |
| Above 40 inches | 90cc to 120cc | 32 inches and longer |
These ranges are working guides rather than hard limits. A trained cutter can cut a trunk wider than the guide bar by working from both sides.
Wood type changes the load. A green pine trunk may cut faster than dry oak of the same width. Frozen wood, dirty bark, knots, and twisted grain can slow the chain further.
A sharp 70cc saw can beat a dull 90cc saw. Engine size cannot repair rounded cutters, high depth gauges, poor oil flow, or a worn bar groove.
What Bar Length Is Best for Large Trees?
A 24-inch bar is enough for many mature trees. It keeps the saw balanced and lets the engine hold high chain speed. It is also easier to file than a 32-inch loop.
A 28-inch bar is the best broad-use length for a 70cc to 80cc professional saw. It gives added reach around root flares and large trunks without the heavy nose of a 36-inch bar.
A 32-inch bar pairs well with a 90cc saw. It suits large timber, storm-fallen trees, and stump work. Lightweight bars remove steel from the centre and reduce some front weight.
A 36-inch or longer bar belongs on a 90cc to 120cc machine. Oil flow must reach the nose, and chain tension must be checked often. Long chains grow more as they warm.
Full-Comp or Skip Chain for Big Trees?
Full-complement chain has the normal number of cutters. It gives a smooth cut and works well on bars up to about 24 inches.
Full-skip chain places more tie straps between cutters. The lower cutter count gives chips more room to leave a deep kerf. It also reduces the amount of cutter steel the engine pulls.
Skip chain is a sound match for 28-inch, 32-inch, and 36-inch bars. It can feel rough on small wood, and it places more work on each cutter. Every tooth needs a sharp edge and an even depth gauge.
Semi-skip sits between the two. It gives better chip room than full-comp chain but cuts more smoothly than full skip.
Large-Tree Chainsaw Safety
Felling a large standing tree is not beginner work. A broad trunk carries enormous weight, and the crown can move in a direction that is hard to judge from the ground.
Dead limbs may fall before the trunk moves. Rot can weaken the hinge. A split stem may open without warning. Wind, heavy lean, nearby buildings, roads, fences, and electrical lines add further danger.
Bring in a trained tree worker when the tree has a heavy lean, a damaged crown, internal decay, storm tension, multiple leaders, or targets within its falling range.
Wear a forestry helmet with eye and hearing guards, chainsaw trousers or chaps, gloves, and cut-resistant boots. Clear two escape paths before the first felling cut. Keep other people well beyond the tree’s reach.
High-End Big-Tree Cutting Package Over $2,000
A professional large-tree package can pass $2,000 with one powerhead. Start with a STIHL MS 500i, Husqvarna 592 XP, or STIHL MS 661. Add 28-inch and 32-inch lightweight bars with three chains for each length.
Carry full-comp chain for shorter bars and skip chain for long bars. Add spare rim sprockets, filing guides, wedges, an axe, a cant hook, bar oil, mixed fuel, and a heavy carrying box.
Buy a forestry helmet, face screen, hearing guards, chainsaw trousers, gloves, and cut-resistant boots. Add a large bleeding-control pack and a two-way radio for remote work.
See premium big-tree cutting equipment on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate, this site may earn from qualifying purchases.
Which Chainsaw Should You Buy for Big Trees?
The STIHL MS 500i is the best overall chainsaw for big trees. It gives professional cutting force without the weight of a normal 90cc machine. Fit a 25-inch or 28-inch lightweight bar for the best balance.
Choose the Husqvarna 592 XP when 32-inch and 36-inch bars will be used often. Its 92.7cc engine has the pull needed for wide timber and long chains.
The ECHO CS-7310P is the better lower-cost professional choice. It has a 73.5cc engine, bars up to 32 inches, a conventional carburettor, and a long private-use warranty.
Pick the Husqvarna 572 XP when most trees fit a 24-inch or 28-inch bar and low carrying weight matters. Pick the STIHL MS 661 for traditional 90cc pull. Reserve the MS 881 for giant timber and wide milling cuts.
The best large-tree saw is not always the machine with the largest engine. It is the saw that can pull the needed bar, feed enough chain oil, remain balanced in your hands, and complete the cut without forcing the motor. For most big-tree work, the MS 500i sits in that sweet middle.