What are the components of an effective tree felling cut sequence?

• A. Back cut
• B. Directional notch (face cut) to guide the fall, bore cut to create a hinge, and a back cut leaving a hinge to control the fall
• C. Chop as quickly as possible
• D. Notch and back cut with no hinge

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that a controlled, directed fall starts with a directional notch to guide the tree, followed by a hinge formed to balance and control the movement, and finished with a back cut that releases the tree while preserving that hinge. The directional notch (face cut) creates a clear path for the trunk to follow and helps prevent unwanted splitting or twisting as the tree begins to move. The bore cut is used to establish a hinge by leaving a thickness of wood connected between the notch and the back cut; this hinge stores some energy and acts as a pivot that keeps the tree from snapping away unpredictably. Then the back cut is completed to release the tree, but only after the hinge is in place, so the fall is controlled and directed rather than abrupt or chaotic.

If you only perform a back cut, you lose the guiding direction and the hinge that keep the fall under control. Chopping as fast as possible bypasses the careful sequence that gives you control and increases risk. Notching and back cutting without a hinge removes the essential element that moderates the fall and helps ensure the tree lands where you intend.