how to cut down a 30ft. tree and make it fall in the right direction?

YOu do this by cutting a wedge out of the side of the tree on the exact side where you want the tree to fall. The wedge is cut by making a straight cut about half way through the trunk at the lowest point possible. Then a second cut is made at an extreme angle coming down to meet the first cut.

Lastly, getting behind the tree, you make a third cut straight across to meet the first cut. The tree should fall toward your original cut or wedge. (Sometimes, you can cut a small wedge out of the back and insert a wide ax head or wood splitter. Pounding this in will slowly topple the tree toward your original wedge.)

That is an art form. Besides the cutting, there is the judging of the weight in the top of the tree that also affects direction. If you have things the tree can hit and damage/destroy you are better off hiring it done by an insured tree removal company.

Don't try it yourself.
In theory it's simple. Plenty of YouTube guides, and disasters on it.

Last year I cut down 2 vertical parts of a multiple trunk silver maple. It was at the side property line and over my garage and the 4800 volt electric lines.

The taller one was vertical and 81 feet tall, because I measured the pieces. The other one was about 70 feet high but went far from the base of the tree.

I made some tools and brought everything down in pieces, with ropes, without any help. I got an arborist curved pull saw blade and made an adapter to connect it to sections of cement float handle. Very light and very strong. I got numerous 6 and 8 foot sections, that connect together. 38 feet long. I also got a commercial trimmer head that chops branches up to 1-3/4 inches, with a pull rope.

With a 28 foot extension ladder I got myself high enough to trim piece by piece, then bring down the top 20' piece.

The quote was $1500. I spent maybe $300 on the parts and some 100 ft ropes. A few hours a day on windless days, and it came down safely.

At age 62 slow and safe!

Listen to poppy, hire a pro. A notch here or there, may not provide the desired outcome.

If you have to ask this question it is likely better to leave this to someone experienced.

Guide ropes can be utilized via pulley (not direct to human or vehicle or tree will fall on the puller).

It can be done in five foot sections, starting at the top.

If you are knowledgeable about trees/chainsaws an appropriate wedge undercut placed on trunk facing direction of desired fall, finished with a back cut on opposite side is the theory. BUT, if tree is a) improperly balanced; b) not sound (rot); c) is hemmed in by other trees (branch entanglement on way down); or d) in any danger of hitting a structure (building, fence etc) or infrastructure (power lines, fire hydrant etc) the repair costs/fines may well exceed any "savings" by doing it yourself.

We just had a Buch of tree removal - the 50 foot firs were about $200 each.

Call experienced arborists. They take it down a little at a time from the top.

rope

Leave this job to the pros --- YES, it ain't cheap ... certainly less than an injury or total loss to your family ...... BE SAFE ...... HIRE THIS JOB .... THIS TIME .....

It is better to hire a professional to cut the tree and if not you should do that very carefully. In the beginning,you must figure out where it should fall, then use an ax or saw to do the job. In order to do that accordingly, the cutting must be in the opposite direction of the fall with the assistance of the tie which will be pulled following the direction of fall.
Yip

If you have to ask this question, you have no business trying to cut down a tree. If you do someone may die from your stupidity.

Hire a professional. Too dangerous for a novice.

I would hire a pro. Make sure they are licensed and bonded. Better to be safe than sorry.

I'm not an expert, I had previously watched a few other trees being taken down, but I first climbed the tree and attached a tug line with a come-along on the downside to add some directional assistance, then cut a 6" deep narrow notch on the backside, drove in two wedges (one wedge would allow side to side fall), then cut wide notch on fall side, periodically stopping to drive wedges in deeper. Eventually the sway of the tree lifted off the wedge, I quit cutting the fall side and cut where the wedges were.

Do not do this yourself, the size of this tree means that you need the job to be done by a professional tress surgeon who will take the tree down safely without damage to any buildings or injury to people. They will have all the specialist equipment needed which you do not have access to.