The size of the chainsaw you need depends on the type of work you will be doing. The length of the chainsaw bar determines the type of work it is best suited for as well as the amount of volume it can handle. Here are some general guidelines to help you determine what size chainsaw you need:

• For property maintenance, trimming, pruning, and cutting down broken tree limbs, a chainsaw with a shorter bar around 14” and smaller is enough.
• For cutting down small trees, thick branches, and cleaning up storm damage, a longer bar around 16”-20” is needed to make the job easier and safer.
• If you are cutting trees for firewood, you need to pick the size based on the trees you are cutting. For example, if the tree is 16″ wide, you will want an 18″ chainsaw.
• If you are cutting wood that is mostly 20" or smaller (and occasionally bigger), a good 50cc saw to run a 16-18" bar is recommended.

Its important to choose a chainsaw size that will fit your needs rather than the one that you want. The workload, the balance between the bar length and saw weight, as well as your own personal strength and capabilities, are all factors to consider.