It was used in ancient times as an effective space clearing, and still is now.
It was basically essential for mankind to survive, due to the fact that it provided wood for fires and shelter.
In ancient times, the trees were burned to the ground, which meant that the trees could fall in any direction, making this a very dangerous task.
In the 18th century, the well-known axe evolved into a wedge-shaped blade.
This was notably more effective in chopping down trees, and had power to allow for easy completion of the task at hand.
Tree felling was also very important for creating fuel, as wood was used as a primary source of energy for a long time.