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Proper Tree Felling Technique: The Notch and Back Cut

3:08
12:03
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At 3:08 in

How NOT to cut down a tree -6 common Mistakes

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What happens here

Start by making the bottom cut of the hinge (the notch) on the side where you want the tree to fall. This cut should be approximately one-third of the way into the tree's diameter. Then, make the top cut of the hinge, angling downwards to meet the bottom cut, forming a wedge. Finally, make a 'backside cut' on the opposite side of the tree, at the same height as the bottom cut of your hinge. It is crucial to leave a small amount of wood between the backside cut and the hinge cuts to act as a 'holding wood' or 'hinge' which guides the tree's fall.

Goal: Perform the correct cuts to safely fell a tree in the desired direction.

Tools and materials

  • Chainsaw Makita — Making the cuts on the tree

What they say

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We've got some trees right here. here we're going to use as our test subjects. Now, wherever you notch is the way they're going to fall, right, Frankie? Yep. Should I'm going to walk them through step by step every part of the process. Bottom cut goes in first. [Music] Make the notch. Flip the saw over. What he does there is he makes the mark even with the bottom of his notch. You see the bottom of his notch. Now when we look at the stump, you see he's got no spurs left over. Everything where the notches and where his cut comes across, they line up perfectly. And that helps him to drop his tree right where he wants to. That's your basics of cutting down a tree. Anything you want to add, Frankie? Nope.

Auto-generated from the video audio.