The faller's job involves cutting down trees. This is done with mobile felling machines or with hand-held chain saws. For the most part a crew will consist of one or two fallers, a log cutter, and several equipment operators who remove the trees and load them. Fallers generally stick to their job of cutting, although they may also assist with other tasks the crew is responsible for, such as putting chains around logs so they can be dragged to another location by the tractors, or driving the tractors. Once trees are cut by the fallers they must be separated by species so they can be taken to the tree harvesters and cut.

A faller must understand sound forestry practices and have a good working knowledge of local harvesting rules and regulations. They need to be able to accurately identify tree species, and know how to use efficient felling and logging techniques. Because the work is done outside and subject to weather conditions, it is also important to understand how felling methods need to be adapted to fit local circumstances, whatever they might be. Finally, a faller must understand and do his or her utmost to meet environmental practice standards.