If you live in a part of the country where rain falls all year and you have a backyard to take care of, you may have asked yourself, “Can you cut wet wood with a chainsaw?” The simple answer to this question is yes, but there is more to it than that.
If you plan to cut up some wood that has been exposed to the elements, pretty much any chainsaw will be up to the task. However, there are a few things that you should bear in mind before you start sawing. This post will cover the precautions you should take before using a chainsaw in inclement weather, and we will explain how it is density and not moisture that makes cutting through wood more difficult.
Can You Chainsaw Wet Wood?

There are many different types of wood, and some of them are a lot harder to cut through than others. Even a lightweight chainsaw designed for basic gardening tasks could cut through balsa wood with ease, but dealing with logs composed of a denser wood like mahogany or maple would be far more difficult and likely require a more robust tool. The condition of wood also influences how easy it is to cut. A fresh balsa log could be more difficult to cut through than a dead or diseased piece of oak. It is best to approach each job as if the wood you will be cutting is alive, green, and in its prime.
The amount of moisture a piece of wood contains does not significantly affect how a chainsaw works, but dry wood does weigh less than wet wood. Chainsaws work best when their chains are well lubricated, which is why guide bar oil is so important. The water in wood is a natural lubricant, and it reduces the friction that is created when chains moving at high speeds come into contact with wood fibers. Guide bar oil reduces resistance and maintains chain speed when cutting through wood.
Does Wet Wood Dull a Chainsaw?
The common belief that wood with a lot of moisture in it dulls chains is not based on science. Adding moisture improves lubrication, which means that cutting wet wood puts less stress on your chainsaw than cutting dry wood. Reducing friction also keeps chains sharp.
One thing that will change when you use a chainsaw to cut through wet wood is the way you deal with sawdust. When you cut through dry wood, sawdust fills the air and is blasted away by the saw’s exhaust. When you cut wet wood, damp sawdust forms into clumps that can stick to chains and gum up sprockets. This can drain power and impede performance, so frequent stops may be necessary to remove the gunk. Keep safety at the front of your mind when you do this, and take an extra moment to fill up your saw’s oil tank before you get back to work.
Working in Wet Conditions

Wet wood is easier to cut and does not harm chainsaws, but the places where it is found can be quite treacherous. Slippery ground, high winds, and driving rain can all make working outdoors more dangerous, so extreme caution should be taken when operating powerful cutting tools in these conditions. Before you fire up your chainsaw in the rain or snow, here are a few things you might want to consider:
- The weather forecast: Clear skies can turn gray in a matter of minutes, and downpours sometimes appear out of the blue. If you plan to work outdoors, you should check the weather forecast before you plan your activities for the day.
- The order of business: If you are clearing up after a snowstorm, and more bad weather is on the way, you may be tempted to get started right away. While this is understandable, you should clear the area first, as accumulated snow can conceal many hazards.
- Communication: Wind and rain can make being seen and heard more difficult, so make sure that you wear bright clothing and have a communications strategy in place if you plan to work with others in inclement weather.
- Appropriate clothing: If you go outside to cut wet wood with a chainsaw, there is a good chance that you will have to contend with rain or low temperatures. In these conditions, you should dress in layers that you can discard as your body warms up. It is also important to make sure that your outer layer is waterproof.
- Guide bar oil: Moisture in wood provides a natural lubricant, but it cannot replace guide bar oil. Make sure that you use a quality mineral oil when you cut wet wood, and top up the reservoir every time you stop to remove damp sawdust. A well-oiled chain resists rust and lasts longer.
- Extends bar, chain and sprocket life
- All season performance
- Reduces friction and wear
- High tack reduces oil sling
- For use with all chainsaws
- Your power source: Plugging an electric chainsaw into an extension cord could be perfectly safe in some situations, but this would be an incredibly dangerous arrangement in a storm. Gas-powered chainsaws shrug off inclement weather, but water can still damage them if it finds its way into the fuel and oil mixture.
- ★High Quality Material: The extension cord cover is made of heavy duty weather-resistant plastic with large compartment, firm and tight rubber seals at wire entrances and exits to prevent water entry for greater safety.
- ★IP54 Water Resistant Wire Cover: Perfect to seal 14/16/18 gauge cord, braided cable and flat wire. Every wire cover has 4 removable buckles lock. The removable latch is not easy to crack and break.
- ★Easy to Use: A practical and effective watertight cord lock. Simply close the lid after connecting the extension cord plug and then close the latches to create a watertight seal. The use of waterproof cord safety boxes can prevent accidental disconnection or weather effects.
- ★Versatile: Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, it can be used to protect outdoor applications, patio bistro string lights, garden power tools, Christmas holiday lighting, pool pumps, landscape decorations, fountains, camping tent lighting, farm, inflatables, ventilators, workshops jobsites yard tools, exhibits, fans, AS’s, corded power tools, construction sites, household appliances, audio and visual, lawn equipment, security cameras and more.
- ★Portable Size: The electrical connection box is light and compact in size, the cover has a length of 6.06 inches and a diameter of 2.52 inches, weighs only 0.4lbs, easy to take out and put in your bag. Hanger design allows the wire connector protector to be easily hung on a wall or tree.
- Slippery footing: Water lubricates the ground as well as the wood, so you can expect the conditions underfoot to be treacherous if you venture outside after a rainstorm. Slips and falls cause millions of sprains, strains, and contusions each year. You need to do all you can to avoid mishaps in wet weather even when you’re not using a chainsaw.
- Pair of robust traction cleats fit securely on any shoe or boot to reduce the risk of falls and increase safety when walking on snow and ice
- Multi-directional heat-treated steel traction plates are molded into the heel and forefoot of the stretch-to-fit thermoplastic elastomer binding for maximum surface contact
- Full-sole coverage provides 360 degrees of traction for everyday activities like walking the dog and shoveling the driveway
- High-performance traction aids are built to stand up to hard use and are tested to remain flexible in frigid temperatures, down to -45 degrees Fahrenheit
- Size medium fits men’s shoe sizes 7.5-10 and women’s shoe sizes 8.5-12; can be folded up and carried in a pack or purse; made in the USA; 90 day manufacturer’s warranty
- Special chains: There are companies that make chainsaw chains for all sorts of specialized applications, but the success of these products is sometimes based on hype rather than performance. A saw that can cut through dry wood will cut through wet wood with ease, so there is no need to purchase a special chain. If you have to cut frozen or particularly dense wood, you may need a micro chisel chain whether the material is wet or dry.
- Chainsaw specifications: Chainsaws are available in several sizes and configurations, and the amount of material they can cope with is based on the length of their guide bars and the power of their engines. Cutting wet wood may be a bit easier than cutting dry wood, but it does not make your chainsaw any more capable.
- Personal protective equipment: Anybody who operates a chainsaw should wear protective equipment. Eye protection, robust footwear, and tough work gloves provide a good safety foundation, but they do not protect as well as the latest chainsaw chaps or pants. These protective garments are made out of advanced materials that shred on impact, clog up drive sprockets, and stop chainsaws in their tracks.
- Husqvarna Classic Personal Protective Power Kit includes: one pair of Husqvarna classic chaps (homeowner) (36 to 38 inches, 32-inch inseam), one Husqvarna functional forest helmet, and one pair of Husqvarna classic work gloves (large)
- Ensure Proper Protection: These chainsaw accessories are an easy way to ensure that new chainsaw owners are properly covered with the appropriate personal protective equipment
- Reduce Risk of Injury: 5-layer chainsaw chaps are designed to reduce risk of chainsaw injuries; chainsaw helmet has an HDPE shell with face shield, ear muffs and a sun peak; lightweight chainsaw gloves with synthetic leather palm are great for general use
- For Casual Users: This chainsaw safety equipment kit is cost-efficient, designed for the casual chainsaw user, and makes a great addition to your tree cutting equipment
- Certified Forestry Tools: Chainsaw chaps and helmet meet ASTM F1897, ANSI Z133.1 and OSHA Regulation 1910-26, and hearing protectors have a 24dB(A) NRR rating
Cleaning a Wet Chainsaw

Cutting wet wood can be a messy business, which means cleaning up can take almost as long as sawing. These chores should be seen as a form of preventive maintenance, and they cannot be neglected if you want your saw to provide years of faithful service. When your wet wood has all been cut and it’s time to put your saw away, here are the steps to take:
- Clean the chain: The first thing you should do is remove any damp sawdust from your saw’s chain. You can poke the sawdust out or brush it away, but make sure that you do a thorough job.
- Dry the chain: Rust is the nemesis of chainsaw chains, and it does not need much moisture to take root. Before you put your saw away, dry the chain thoroughly, then apply a thin coat of mineral oil for additional protection.
- Mop up any water beads: Use a clean, dry cloth to remove water spots from your chainsaw. Pay particular attention to metal components that could rust.
- Clean the air filter: Damp sawdust does not form thick clouds in the air, but it can still clog air filters. A minute or so under a running tap should be all that is needed to bring your chainsaw’s air filter back to pristine condition.
- Clear out the sprocket cover: Wet sawdust often forms into clumps that become hard when they dry. When these clumps accumulate under sprocket covers, they can cause starting problems and impede performance.
Choosing a Chainsaw for Cutting Wet Wood
If you are thinking about getting a chainsaw, you should look for a tool that is appropriate for the type of work you will be doing. This basically comes down to making two decisions. You have to choose a power source, and then you need to pick the right size. Let’s look at those options a little more closely:
- Battery power: Most electric chainsaws now have battery packs instead of plugs and cables, and some of them are quite powerful. Electric chainsaws are lighter and quieter than gas-powered saws, and they do not vibrate nearly as much. Recharging a battery takes longer than filling a fuel tank, but electric chainsaws are virtually maintenance-free.
- Ditch the gasoline, extension cords and maintenance required with alternative chainsaws
- Brushless motor maximizes both the torque and the lifespan of the unit
- 16-inch chain runs at speeds of up to 49 feet per second
- Included 40-Volt 4Ah fade-free lithium-ion battery and charger compatible with the entire WEN 40V Max Series
- Backed by a two-year warranty
- Gas power: The large chainsaws used by professionals almost always have two-stroke engines that are powered by a mixture of gas and oil. These saws can handle the toughest jobs, but keeping them in tip-top condition requires a lot of TLC. Be very careful if you ever add fuel to one of these chainsaws in the rain. If the fuel-air mixture is contaminated by water, your saw could stutter, run hot, or cut out.
- Husqvarna 130 16 inch chainsaw is easy to start and easy to handle, making it a valuable tool for a variety of home and garden tasks—recommended for use with bar lengths between 14 inches (min) and 16 inches (max)
- Effortless Start-Up: A fuel pump and combined choke/stop control allow for easier starting and reduce the risk of engine flooding, while the gas chainsaw 16 inch blade has an inertia-activated chain brake to reduce the likelihood of injury due to kickback
- Superior Performance: Gas powered chainsaw delivers superior performance with an efficient 38-cc, 2-HP X-Torq engine that reduces emissions (up to 60%) and increases fuel efficiency (up to 20%)
- Air Injection Technology: Chainsaws equipped with a centrifugal air cleaning system that expels larger dust and debris particles before they reach the air filter for improved engine life
- Easy Handling: This cordless chainsaw features LowVib technology that uses dampeners to reduce vibrations and minimize operator fatigue for easier handling of recommended 14 to 16-inch chainsaw bars
- Guide bar size: Chainsaws with longer guide bars can cut thicker logs, but that extra performance comes with a price attached. Longer chains require large and powerful engines that consume more fuel, so these chainsaws tend to be much heavier. Consider the sizes of the branches or logs you will be cutting, and then lean toward shorter rather than longer when picking a guide bar length.
We Have the Information You Deserve
If you have questions about using or maintaining a chainsaw, ChainsawSelector almost certainly has the answers you are looking for. Our blog posts can help you to avoid common mistakes, and they could also point you in the right direction if your chainsaw begins to act up. When the time comes to replace your old chainsaw with a brand-new model that has the latest features, our reviews and product roundups will give you the information you need and tell you about each saw’s disadvantages as well as its benefits.