Special Techniques for Felling Difficult Trees » Unacceptable Practices for Felling Difficult Trees

The top cut is the first of two cuts that result in an open faced notch. The notch is made on the side of the tree that faces the direction you want it to fall.

The Correct Cut
Domino Felling

Placing undercuts and backcuts in a series of trees, then "pushing" them with another tree. Domino falling is a dangerous, unacceptable practice.

Domino Felling

Swing Dutchman

The Swing Dutchman is a felling method used to pull a tree against its lean so it will fall in a more desirable direction. As shown in the above figure, it is similar to the Dutchman in that the two front cuts do not meet exactly. It is made by leaving a section of the undercut on one corner of the face. The portion left consists of a singlesaw kerf in one side of the face, with the face completely removed on the opposite side of the face cut. A single saw kerf must never extend completely across the stump (which would result in a full Dutchman).

Although it is common practice in certain areas of the country, the Swing Dutchman may cause the same hazardous results as the Dutchman cut; i.e., excessive stress on the hinge causing excessive fiber pull, splitting of the butt, or barber chairing and uncontrolled fall. It is therefore not a recommended practice.

Swing Dutchman

Bypass/Dutchman in the Notch

The function of the notch is to allow the tree to fall without breaking the hinge prematurely. The top or bottom cut is performed first and then the second cut is made and both cuts should meet exactly. If the two cuts do not meet exactly (bypass0 the notch cannot perform its function. These small notches close up before the tree has fallen even half way to the ground. When this happens, stress is put on the hinge causing it to break prematurely, resulting in fiber pull, splitting of the butt or barber chairing. All of these actions are dangerous to the logger.