whoever has the axe(I don't even know who)
The learning curve is steep, no doubt, and DF is one of the less "intuitive" interfaces I've ever fought past. But it's worth it.
Take a deep breath, grab a beverage of your choice, and here we go...
Hit <z>, which will bring up several submenus - you want "Stocks" ((using direction keys to scroll and shift over, for this screen at least - others use +/-
) . If you don't have more than 10 weapons (doubtful at this point?), you can go down toward the bottom of the first screen and look at your weapons. Hit <tab> to see the individual items in detail - highlight the axe, and hit <z> to zoom to that location - you've found your dwarf. But you're in the wrong view (currently <k>, which loo<k>s at items and terrain).
Remember the location, get out of that view by hitting the <spacebar>, and hit <v> to <v>iew dwarfs. Hover over that one (hit <v> multiple times if there is more than one unit on that tile), and then hit < i>nventory - you can scroll here using +/-. The axe should be visible there somewhere.
Now...
In that same <v>iew, hit <p>references, <l>abors - again use +/- and highlight "woodcutting" (fortunately just a couple down from the starting point), and hit <Enter> to select it.
NOW that dwarf will (well, "should") go cut your trees.
The wiki (link in header above this subforum) can be of GREAT help when starting out, and answer questions you don't even know to ask yet - try "tree", "wood", axe, and "stocks" to start, and surf out from there.