I have cut down my share of large trees. Beech, maple, and now ash.
I look at the way I want it to fall and the way it is leaning. Hopefully these coincide. If not, the I use cable and pulleys to assist.
Let’s assume the tree is perfectly straight and I want it to fall to the right. I cut a wedge shaped notch in the tree on the right side about ½ to ⅔ of the way through depending upon the type of tree.
Then I start cutting a downwards sloping slot on the left side of the tree starting about 6 inches above the deepest part of the notch I previously cut.
That forms a tab that gets thinner and thinner as I cut and eventually causes the tree to drop in the direction of the notch without having the trunk split up the middle potentially killing me or anyone helping. That type of tree is called widow maker for good reason.
This method also keep the tree from falling on the cut and capturing my saw leaving me stranded in the woods. That happens occasionally so I always have at least two saws with me if I am doing serious work.
I’ve got bunch of dead pine trees that need to come down if you want some practice. Come on over.
Oh, and I can’t tell you if the tree makes a sound or not when it falls in the forest. With my two saws running and the good hearing protection I always wear, I can’t hear a thing.