A good chainsaw should bite into wood like a sharp axe, not chew through it like a dull kitchen knife. When a thick oak, pine, maple, or storm-damaged trunk stands in front of you, the right saw saves time, reduces strain, and gives you far better control.
The best chainsaws for cutting trees depend on trunk width, wood hardness, work hours, and user skill. A light 16-inch saw may handle small trees with ease, while a mature hardwood trunk may call for a 24-inch, 32-inch, or even 41-inch bar. This guide covers strong gas saws, quieter battery picks, farm models, and heavy pro machines.
Premium Picks at a Glance
| Chainsaw | Best Use | Power Class | Common Bar Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Husqvarna 592 XP | Best overall for large trees | 92.7 cc gas | 18 to 36 inches |
| STIHL MS 500i | Best power-to-weight choice | 6.8 hp gas | 20 to 36 inches |
| ECHO CS-7310P | Best pro saw for the money | 73.5 cc gas | 20 to 32 inches |
| Husqvarna 572 XP | Best for long workdays | 70.6 cc gas | 15 to 28 inches |
| STIHL MS 881 | Best for giant trunks | 6.4 kW gas | Up to 41 inches |
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL 20-Inch | Best battery saw for large property work | Dual-battery | 20 inches |
1. Husqvarna 592 XP: Best Overall Chainsaw for Large Trees
The Husqvarna 592 XP sits near the sweet spot for serious tree felling. Its 92.7 cc engine produces 7.6 hp, while the bare powerhead weighs about 16.3 pounds. That pairing gives the saw enough muscle for thick hardwood without the tank-like feel of a 120 cc machine.
This saw works well with bars from 18 to 36 inches. A 24-inch or 28-inch bar suits most large-tree jobs. A 32-inch or 36-inch bar makes more sense for wide trunks, large timber, and deep bucking cuts.
The engine responds quickly when the chain meets dense wood. It does not feel lazy under load. The broad front handle also gives the operator firm control during felling cuts, bore cuts, and trunk sectioning.
The 592 XP is a strong match for forestry crews, landowners with heavy timber, storm cleanup teams, and firewood cutters who work with large rounds. It is too much saw for light branch trimming, but it is one of the best gas chainsaws for cutting large trees.
2. STIHL MS 500i: Best Power-to-Weight Chainsaw
The STIHL MS 500i carries 6.8 hp in a powerhead that weighs about 14 pounds. That is a sharp power-to-weight ratio for an 80 cc-class saw. The result feels like a racehorse with work boots. It moves fast, pulls hard, and does not burden the arms as much as many saws with similar cutting force.
Fuel injection gives the MS 500i a crisp throttle response. The chain reaches cutting speed quickly, which helps during repeated cuts through logs, stumps, and standing timber. It works well with longer bars, yet a 25-inch or 28-inch setup gives it a fine balance for daily felling.
This model suits trained users who value speed and lower powerhead weight. It is a fine pick for tree services, forestry crews, ranches, and large rural properties. The cost is high, but daily users may find that the lower weight pays them back through reduced arm and shoulder strain.
3. ECHO CS-7310P: Best Pro Chainsaw for the Money
The ECHO CS-7310P uses a 73.5 cc two-stroke engine and weighs about 14.8 pounds without the bar and chain. It accepts 20-inch, 24-inch, 28-inch, and 32-inch bar setups. That range makes it useful for medium and large trees.
The CS-7310P has a magnesium crankcase and sprocket cover. These parts give it the solid feel expected from a work saw. The air filtration setup also helps when dry bark, sawdust, and fine wood powder fill the air.
This is a smart pick for buyers who need pro-grade cutting force but do not want the price of the biggest European saws. It handles hardwood rounds, firewood logs, storm-felled trunks, and medium-size tree felling with confidence.
Check ECHO CS-7310P listings on Amazon
4. Husqvarna 572 XP: Best for Long Days in the Woods
The Husqvarna 572 XP is smaller than the 592 XP, yet it still carries enough force for demanding tree work. Its 70.6 cc engine produces 5.8 hp. The powerhead weighs about 14.5 pounds, and the recommended bar range runs from 15 to 28 inches.
A 20-inch or 24-inch bar turns the 572 XP into a fast, balanced cutting saw. It can fell medium and large trees, remove thick limbs, and cut trunks into firewood rounds. The lower weight also helps when the work lasts for hours.
Choose the 572 XP when you need a pro chainsaw for tree felling but do not need a 90 cc powerhead. It is more pleasant around medium timber and far easier to carry across rough ground than the largest saws.
5. STIHL MS 400: Best Light Pro Saw for Medium Trees
The STIHL MS 400 gives users 5.4 hp from a powerhead that weighs about 12.7 pounds. That low weight makes it a fine choice for landowners and tree crews who need speed without a bulky frame.
The MS 400 feels at home with an 18-inch, 20-inch, or 25-inch bar. It is well suited to trunks that are too large for a homeowner saw but do not call for a 90 cc machine. It also works well for limbing after the tree is down.
For mixed tree work, this size often makes more sense than buying the largest saw in the shop. A lighter saw is easier to turn, easier to carry, and less tiring during a full day of cutting.
6. STIHL MS 661: Best 90 cc Workhorse
The STIHL MS 661 produces 7.3 hp and weighs about 16.8 pounds without fuel, bar, or chain. It is built for large-diameter felling, heavy bucking, and long bars.
This saw has the old-school pull that many cutters expect from a big pro machine. It can drive a long chain through dense trunks where a smaller saw may lose speed. A 28-inch or 32-inch bar makes it a capable large-tree saw, while shorter setups give it fierce cutting speed.
The MS 661 is best for skilled operators who often work with big hardwood, oversized firewood rounds, or commercial timber. Casual property owners may find it heavier and more expensive than needed.
7. STIHL MS 881: Best Chainsaw for Giant Trees
The STIHL MS 881 is the largest saw in the current STIHL range. It produces 6.4 kW and accepts guide bars up to 41 inches. This machine is made for huge trunks, milling jobs, and cuts that leave smaller saws looking like pocket knives.
The MS 881 is not a general yard saw. Its weight, fuel use, price, and cutting force place it in a narrow class. Professional fallers, sawmill operators, and owners of heavily wooded land are the main buyers.
For giant tree trunks, few handheld saws can match its ability to pull a long chain through a deep cut. Proper training matters here. A saw this large reacts with far more force than a light farm model.
8. Husqvarna 3120 XP: Best High-Displacement Alternative
The Husqvarna 3120 XP carries a 118.8 cc engine and produces 8.31 hp. It is a huge powerhead built for oversized timber, stump work, and chainsaw milling.
The 3120 XP has a slower, heavy pull rather than the quick feel of a mid-size pro saw. Once the chain enters a broad trunk, the engine holds speed with the steady push of a freight train.
Buy this model only when your work truly calls for it. For common 12-inch to 24-inch trees, a 60 cc to 80 cc saw will be easier to handle. For old-growth timber, huge storm-damaged trunks, and milling slabs, the 3120 XP earns its place.
9. Milwaukee M18 FUEL 20-Inch Dual Battery: Best Battery Chainsaw for Big Cuts
The Milwaukee M18 FUEL 20-inch dual-battery chainsaw uses two M18 batteries at the same time. Milwaukee recommends two FORGE XC8.0 packs. This setup gives the saw more cutting force than the brand’s smaller single-battery models.
A 20-inch bar makes it useful for medium trees, fallen trunks, large limbs, and property cleanup. It starts with a trigger pull, produces no fuel fumes, and needs no gas mixing. Noise is lower than a big two-stroke saw, though hearing protection is still wise.
This is a strong pick for farms, large yards, construction crews, and owners who already have a collection of M18 batteries. Keep spare charged packs nearby during long sessions. A battery saw stops when the packs run flat, while a gas saw can return to work after a quick refill.
Check Milwaukee 20-inch chainsaw kits on Amazon
10. STIHL MSA 300: Best Pro Battery Chainsaw
The STIHL MSA 300 is the strongest battery chainsaw in the STIHL range. It is aimed at trained users, tree crews, and landowners who want pro battery power for limbing, medium trunks, and noise-sensitive job sites.
The saw has a magnesium motor housing and a solid, well-balanced body. It feels closer to a work saw than a light yard trimmer. Battery choice has a large effect on run time, cutting pace, and total weight.
This model suits places where gas fumes and engine noise create problems. It also works as a second saw for a crew that already carries a large gas model. Buyers looking at a used MSA 300 should check its serial number against the maker’s recall page before purchase.
11. Greenworks 80V 20-Inch: Best Battery Pick for Property Owners
The Greenworks 80V 20-inch chainsaw offers a 20-inch bar and chain speed rated at up to 82 feet per second. It gives large-property owners a cleaner option for fallen trees, firewood, and routine land clearing.
This model is easier to start than a gas saw and has fewer service needs. There is no carburetor to clean, no fuel to mix, and no spark plug to replace. Keep the chain sharp, fill the bar oil tank, charge the battery, and the saw is ready.
It is not the first pick for full-time logging, yet it makes sense for weekend work. The 80V platform also helps buyers who already own Greenworks mowers, blowers, or trimmers that accept the same battery family.
Check Greenworks 80V chainsaws on Amazon
What Size Chainsaw Do You Need for Cutting Trees?
Small Trees Under 10 Inches
A 14-inch or 16-inch chainsaw is usually enough for small trunks, fruit trees, thin pines, and yard cleanup. Battery saws work well here. They are light, easy to start, and less tiring during branch removal.
Medium Trees From 10 to 20 Inches
A 50 cc to 70 cc gas saw with an 18-inch or 20-inch bar is a good match. A strong 20-inch battery saw may also handle this class, though thick hardwood can drain batteries quickly.
Large Trees From 20 to 30 Inches
Look for a 70 cc to 90 cc pro saw with a 24-inch or 28-inch bar. The ECHO CS-7310P, Husqvarna 572 XP, STIHL MS 500i, and Husqvarna 592 XP fit this range.
Huge Trees Over 30 Inches
A 90 cc to 120 cc saw with a 32-inch, 36-inch, or 41-inch bar may be needed. The STIHL MS 661, Husqvarna 592 XP, STIHL MS 881, and Husqvarna 3120 XP are built for this class of work.
Gas or Battery Chainsaw for Tree Cutting?
Gas chainsaws remain the better pick for long workdays, very large trunks, and remote land. Refueling takes only a few minutes. A sharp gas saw can work all day as long as fuel and bar oil are close by.
Battery chainsaws are easier to start and quieter at idle because there is no idling engine. They also avoid fuel storage and carburetor trouble. Their main limit is run time. Thick wood can empty a battery faster than light pruning work.
A two-saw setup works well for large properties. Use a battery model for branches and quick cuts. Bring out the gas saw for the main trunk, large rounds, and long sessions.
A Premium Amazon Setup Over $2,000
A high-end two-saw package can pass $2,000 once you add a pro gas saw, a 20-inch battery kit, spare batteries, chains, wedges, sharpening gear, and head-to-toe protection. This setup gives you one saw for heavy trunk work and another for fast cleanup.
Start with an ECHO CS-7310P for large trees. Add the Milwaukee M18 FUEL 20-inch dual-battery kit for branches, medium trunks, and quiet work near homes. Round out the package with chainsaw chaps, a forestry helmet, hearing protection, eye protection, steel-toe boots, felling wedges, a filing kit, spare chains, and a hard carrying case.
View premium chainsaw protection and felling gear on Amazon
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Chainsaw Protection and Tree-Cutting Care
Wear chainsaw chaps, a helmet, eye protection, hearing protection, gloves, and sturdy boots. Keep both hands on the saw. Clear branches, rocks, vines, and loose gear from the work area before the first cut.
Plan two retreat paths before felling a standing tree. Keep other people well outside the drop zone. Never cut near power lines. A leaning tree, split trunk, hung tree, or storm-bent limb can release stored force without warning. Call a trained tree crew when the tree stands near a home, road, fence, cable, or utility line.
Chain sharpness also matters. A sharp chain throws clean chips and pulls itself into the wood. A dull chain makes fine dust, cuts slowly, and pushes the operator to press harder. That extra pressure raises fatigue and heat.
Which Chainsaw Is Best for Cutting Trees?
The Husqvarna 592 XP is the best overall pick for large-tree work because it combines strong power, a wide bar range, and manageable weight for its class. The STIHL MS 500i is the better pick for buyers who want high power with a lighter feel.
The ECHO CS-7310P offers strong pro ability at a lower price than many direct rivals. The STIHL MS 881 and Husqvarna 3120 XP belong at the top of the size range for giant trunks and milling. For battery power, the Milwaukee M18 FUEL 20-inch and STIHL MSA 300 are the leading picks for heavy property work.
Buy the smallest saw that can handle your normal trunk size without strain. A well-balanced 60 cc or 70 cc saw often cuts more wood in a day than a huge machine that tires the operator. The best chainsaw is not always the loudest beast in the shed. It is the one that matches the tree, the user, and the work ahead.