A standing tree asks more from a chainsaw than a pile of firewood. The saw must cut cleanly through the face notch, hold chain speed during the back cut, and remain steady while the operator watches the hinge and crown. Too little power can leave the chain crawling through the trunk. Too much saw can tire the arms before the tree begins to move.
The STIHL MS 400 C-M is the best STIHL chainsaw for cutting down trees for most serious landowners and professional cutters. Its 5.4-horsepower engine and 12.7-pound powerhead give it a rare mix of speed, low weight, and medium-to-large tree ability. The MS 261 C-M is better for smaller trees, while the MS 462 C-M and MS 500i suit broad hardwood and large professional felling work.
Top STIHL Chainsaws for Cutting Down Trees
| STIHL Chainsaw | Best Use | Engine Power | Powerhead Weight | July 2026 Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS 400 C-M | Best overall tree-felling saw | 5.4 hp | 12.7 lb | $1,259.99 |
| MS 261 C-M | Small and medium trees | 4.1 hp | 10.9 lb | From $759.99 |
| MS 462 C-M | Large trees and long workdays | 6 hp | 13.3 lb | From $1,599.99 |
| MS 500i | Best premium felling saw | 6.8 hp | 14 lb | From $1,759.99 |
| MS 391 | Best landowner step-up saw | 4.5 hp | 13.8 lb | From $839.99 |
| MS 271 FARM BOSS | Budget pick for smaller trees | 3.5 hp | 12.4 lb | $539.99 |
| MS 661 MAGNUM | Very large trees | 7.3 hp | 16.4 lb | From $1,849.99 |
| MS 881 MAGNUM | Giant timber and wide stumps | 8.7 hp | 21.4 lb | From $2,679.99 |
Prices were checked on July 23, 2026. Dealer prices, bar packages, local stock, and delivery charges can change.
1. STIHL MS 400 C-M: Best STIHL Chainsaw for Cutting Down Trees Overall
The STIHL MS 400 C-M sits between the light 50cc class and the larger 70cc felling saws. That middle position makes it useful across a wide range of tree sizes. It has more pulling force than the MS 261 but carries little extra weight.
The engine produces 5.4 horsepower. The powerhead weighs 12.7 pounds without fuel, bar, or chain. Those numbers give the saw enough muscle for mature hardwood while keeping it easy to move around the trunk.
The MS 400 C-M feels well matched to trees from roughly 14 to 28 inches across. A 20-inch bar gives it quick chain response for smaller timber. A 25-inch setup gives more reach around broad trunks and root flares.
The magnesium-alloy piston helps STIHL place more engine capacity inside a light body. The result is a saw that feels lively rather than nose-heavy. It turns easily during face-notch work and remains manageable during limbing after the tree reaches the ground.
M-Tronic controls the fuel setting as temperature, elevation, filter condition, and fuel quality change. The operator does not need to stop and turn mixture screws during ordinary work. The system also helps the saw hold steady performance as the day warms.
An adjustable automatic oiler lets the owner raise oil flow for a longer bar or dry timber. This matters during felling cuts because the chain may remain buried across much of the guide bar.
The MS 400 C-M costs $1,259.99 in its listed 20-inch package. It is not a casual homeowner purchase, but it costs less than the MS 462 C-M and MS 500i.
Choose this saw when one machine must fell medium trees, handle occasional large hardwood, remove branches, and buck the trunk afterward. It gives more useful all-day ability than a giant powerhead that spends most of its life cutting wood below 20 inches.
Check STIHL MS 400 bars, chains, and cases on Amazon
2. STIHL MS 261 C-M: Best for Small and Medium Trees
The STIHL MS 261 C-M is the better choice when most trees stay below about 20 inches across. Its 50.2cc-class engine produces 4.1 horsepower, while the powerhead weighs only 10.9 pounds.
That low weight saves energy during orchard removal, thinning, woodland care, storm cleanup, and repeated felling of smaller trees. The saw moves around the trunk like a short-handled axe, yet it has far more cutting speed than ordinary homeowner machines.
STIHL offers 16-inch, 18-inch, and 20-inch cutting sets for the MS 261 family. The 18-inch bar is the best general felling choice. It feels quick, costs less to replace, and places less drag on the engine.
The 20-inch bar adds reach for mature trees. It works well when the chain remains sharp and the wood stays clean. A full-width cut through dry oak will ask more from the saw than the same cut through green pine.
M-Tronic manages the carburettor setting. The adjustable oil pump lets the user match oil flow to bar length and wood condition. The long-life air filter helps during dry bark cutting, where fine dust can cover the saw after only a few tanks.
The MS 261 C-M starts at $759.99. That price places it well below the MS 400 C-M and leaves room for a lightweight bar, spare chains, wedges, helmet, trousers or chaps, and cut-resistant boots.
Buy the MS 261 C-M for trees below 20 inches, long carrying days, trail clearing, and woodland thinning. Move to the MS 400 C-M when trunks near two feet across appear often.
Check STIHL MS 261 cutting gear on Amazon
3. STIHL MS 462 C-M: Best for Large Trees
The STIHL MS 462 C-M is a light professional felling saw with a 6-horsepower engine. The powerhead weighs 13.3 pounds. That is only a little heavier than the MS 400 C-M, yet the engine carries more force for long guide bars and broad timber.
This saw suits hardwood and softwood trees from roughly 22 to 34 inches across. It feels most natural with a 24-inch or 28-inch bar. A lightweight bar can cut front weight and make the saw easier to swing through a face notch.
The MS 462 C-M accelerates quickly and holds chain speed well during a buried-bar cut. It can handle oak, maple, beech, gum, locust, large pine, and broad fir without feeling as bulky as a 90cc powerhead.
M-Tronic manages fuel delivery. The HD2 filter can be washed and reused. STIHL’s pre-separation system removes larger dust before it reaches the main filter.
The adjustable oiler is a strong match for long bars. A 28-inch chain needs more oil than an 18-inch loop. Check the bar rails and chain drive links after each long felling session.
The MS 462 C-M starts near $1,600. It costs far more than the MS 391, but the professional saw gives more power with slightly less powerhead weight.
Choose the MS 462 C-M when large trees form a regular part of the work. It is also a fine pick for forestry crews that need one saw for felling and heavy bucking without carrying 90cc weight.
Check STIHL MS 462 bars and chains on Amazon
4. STIHL MS 500i: Best Premium Tree-Felling Chainsaw
The STIHL MS 500i combines a 6.8-horsepower engine with a 14-pound powerhead. It is the strongest choice here for cutters who want large-saw force without the normal weight of a 90cc machine.
Electronic fuel injection replaces a normal carburettor. Throttle response is immediate. The chain returns to working speed quickly after the operator repositions the bar or clears chips from the cut.
The MS 500i is a strong match for 25-inch and 28-inch bars. It can also serve larger setups when the tree and approved cutting gear call for more reach. For ordinary professional felling, a lightweight 28-inch bar gives a good balance between reach and control.
The high-output adjustable oiler helps feed long bars. The washable HD2 filter suits dry woodland and dusty bark. A decompression valve lowers starter-rope resistance.
The saw starts at $1,759.99. That price places it near the MS 661. The MS 661 has more engine capacity and better long-bar pull, but it weighs 2.4 pounds more before cutting gear is fitted.
The MS 500i is the better saw when the cutter moves between trees all day. Less weight matters during walking, limbing, wedge placement, and repeated movement around broad trunks.
Buy the MS 500i for professional tree removal, hardwood felling, storm contracting, and daily forestry work. A private owner cutting a few trees each year will get better value from the MS 261, MS 391, or MS 400 C-M.
Check STIHL MS 500i cutting gear on Amazon
5. STIHL MS 391: Best Landowner Saw for Larger Trees
The STIHL MS 391 gives private landowners 4.5 horsepower for $839.99. Its powerhead weighs 13.8 pounds. It lacks the low-weight professional body of the MS 400 C-M, but it costs more than $400 less.
This saw works well for farm trees, storm falls, heavy firewood, woodland cleanup, and occasional felling. STIHL sells it with bar choices that commonly include 18, 20, and 25 inches.
The 20-inch bar is the best general setup. It lets the engine hold chain speed and keeps the saw reasonably balanced. The 25-inch bar adds reach for occasional broad trunks, but it places more chain drag on the engine.
The IntelliCarb compensating carburettor changes fuel flow as the air filter gathers dirt. A pre-separation system removes heavier debris before it reaches the filter.
The MS 391 is a good match for landowners who cut trees several times each season but cannot justify professional prices. It can handle mature timber when the chain is sharp and the operator works from both sides of a broad trunk.
Choose the MS 391 when cost matters more than low weight. Pick the MS 400 C-M when the saw will run often and every pound carried through the woods matters.
Check STIHL MS 391 bars and chains on Amazon
6. STIHL MS 271 FARM BOSS: Best Lower-Cost Pick for Smaller Trees
The STIHL MS 271 FARM BOSS is the lowest-priced saw in this group. The 20-inch model costs $539.99. Its engine produces 3.5 horsepower, and the dry powerhead weighs 12.4 pounds.
This saw suits trees from roughly 8 to 18 inches across. It can cut wider trunks from two sides, but it is not the right machine for repeated large hardwood felling.
The 18-inch package feels better for ordinary tree removal. The shorter bar reaches speed quickly and places less load on the engine. The 20-inch bar is useful when extra reach matters.
The pre-separation air cleaner stretches the time between filter cleanings. Anti-vibration mounts reduce handle buzz. The side chain adjuster makes normal tension changes easy.
Choose the MS 271 for home property care, small farm trees, firewood, and occasional storm work. Move to the MS 391 or MS 400 C-M when mature hardwood forms a regular part of the job.
Check STIHL MS 271 cutting gear and cases on Amazon
7. STIHL MS 661 MAGNUM: Best for Very Large Trees
The STIHL MS 661 MAGNUM enters the 90cc professional class. Its engine produces 7.3 horsepower, and the powerhead weighs 16.4 pounds.
This saw is made for large-diameter felling, heavy bucking, broad stumps, and long guide bars. It has the pulling force needed for 28-inch, 32-inch, and 36-inch cutting sets.
The MS 661 has more weight than the MS 500i, but it pulls a long buried chain with greater authority. This becomes clear in broad hardwood where each cutter remains under load for several seconds.
STIHL sells standard carburetted and M-Tronic versions. The normal model appeals to cutters who prefer manual fuel adjustment. The C-M version manages fuel settings electronically.
The adjustable oiler feeds long bars. Captive bar nuts stay attached to the clutch cover during chain changes. The decompression valve lowers starting effort.
The MS 661 begins at $1,849.99. It is too heavy for small-tree work, but it earns its place when trunks near three feet across appear often.
Check STIHL MS 661 long-bar cutting gear on Amazon
8. STIHL MS 881 MAGNUM: Best for Giant Trees
The STIHL MS 881 MAGNUM is the largest STIHL production chainsaw. Its 8.7-horsepower engine drives bars up to 41 inches in listed US packages. The bare powerhead weighs 21.4 pounds.
This is not the best saw for normal woodland trees. Its weight can slow the operator during limbing, walking, and repeated small cuts. It belongs on giant timber, huge stumps, and chainsaw mills.
The MS 881 uses heavy .404-inch chain in common long-bar setups. The larger chain chassis stands up well to extreme bar length and steady engine force.
An adjustable oil pump feeds the long cutting set. A washable HD2 filter handles dusty work. The compensating carburettor changes fuel flow as the filter becomes restricted.
The listed price begins at $2,679.99. A 36-inch or 41-inch bar, several chains, protective clothing, wedges, and lifting gear can push the full package far above $3,500.
Buy the MS 881 only when the wood truly calls for it. The MS 462 C-M, MS 500i, or MS 661 will be faster and less tiring in most trees.
Check STIHL MS 881 long-bar gear on Amazon
What Size STIHL Chainsaw Is Best for Felling Trees?
| Trunk Diameter | Suggested STIHL Saw | Useful Bar Length |
|---|---|---|
| Under 12 inches | MS 261 C-M or MS 271 | 16 to 18 inches |
| 12 to 20 inches | MS 261 C-M or MS 400 C-M | 18 to 20 inches |
| 20 to 28 inches | MS 400 C-M or MS 462 C-M | 20 to 28 inches |
| 28 to 36 inches | MS 500i or MS 661 | 28 to 36 inches |
| Above 36 inches | MS 661 or MS 881 | 32 to 41 inches |
Tree diameter is only one part of the choice. Dry oak places a heavier load on the chain than fresh pine. Frozen wood, knots, dirt, and twisted grain can slow the cut further.
A bar does not need to cross the whole trunk in one pass. A trained cutter can work from both sides. This lets a 20-inch saw fell a tree wider than 20 inches.
Best STIHL Chain for Cutting Down Trees
STIHL Rapid Super chain uses full-chisel cutters. It cuts clean timber quickly and works well for professional felling. Its square cutter corners lose sharpness quickly after contact with grit or dirty bark.
STIHL Rapid Micro uses semi-chisel cutters. It cuts a little slower but keeps a useful edge longer around dusty trunks, storm wood, and frozen bark.
Low-kickback chain can be a better match for landowners and smaller saws. Use the chain named for the guide bar’s pitch, gauge, and drive-link count.
Keep every cutter the same length. Set the rakers with the matching gauge. An uneven chain can pull sideways and make a straight felling cut harder to hold.
Premium STIHL Felling Package Over $2,000
A premium felling package can pass $2,000 with one professional saw. Start with the MS 400 C-M, MS 462 C-M, or MS 500i. Add a lightweight 20-inch or 28-inch bar and three chain loops.
Carry plastic felling wedges, an axe, a breaking bar, a cant hook, spare rim sprockets, filing guides, bar oil, approved fuel cans, and a hard saw case.
Wear a forestry helmet, face shield, hearing guards, saw-resistant trousers or chaps, gloves, and cut-resistant boots. Keep a large bleeding-control pack near the work area.
See premium STIHL felling gear on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate, this site may earn from qualifying purchases.
Tree-Felling Safety
Cutting down a standing tree is advanced chainsaw work. A mature trunk may carry several tons of wood above the operator. Wind, lean, crown weight, rot, and nearby trees can change the fall direction.
Check the trunk for cracks, cavities, fungus, dead limbs, and old damage. Clear two escape paths before the saw enters the bark. Keep every other person well outside the full fall area.
Do not fell trees near electrical lines, houses, roads, vehicles, fences, or neighbouring land without trained help. Dead crowns, split stems, storm damage, and heavy backward lean also call for a trained tree worker.
Never use a rear-handle chainsaw from a ladder, roof, or loader bucket. Keep both feet on firm ground and both hands on the saw.
Which STIHL Chainsaw Should You Buy for Cutting Down Trees?
The STIHL MS 400 C-M is the best overall STIHL chainsaw for cutting down trees. Its 5.4-horsepower engine gives it enough force for mature timber, while the 12.7-pound powerhead remains easy to move around the trunk.
Choose the MS 261 C-M for trees below 20 inches and long days of carrying. Pick the MS 462 C-M when large trees and 24-inch or 28-inch bars form the main workload.
Buy the MS 500i when rapid throttle response and low weight justify a premium price. Choose the MS 391 when you need a strong landowner saw without paying for a professional powerhead.
The MS 271 FARM BOSS suits smaller trees and lighter budgets. Move to the MS 661 for very large trunks and long bars. Reserve the MS 881 for giant timber and wide milling cuts.
For one saw that can fell medium trees, handle occasional large hardwood, and remain manageable after the trunk reaches the ground, the MS 400 C-M is the best fit. It carries serious power without feeling like a ship anchor tied to the front handle.