What are the benefits of a humbolt notch?
Do you mean facing the tree then partially backcuting?
Do loggers use notch?
What is Humboldt notch used for?
Humboldt cut or inverse notch This is a safe and efficient way to fell a tree that is on a steep slope or prone to splitting. Well suited for thicker trees on steep slopes. Opening angle of at least 45°. Horizontal cut has the same angle as the felling cut.
How do you cut a Humboldt notch?
Humboldt Notch Using full throttle and entering horizontally, cut inwards to approximately 25% of the diameter of the tree. Next, create your Humboldt cut by cutting upwards at a 45-degree angle until you meet the uppercut. Make sure you don't overcut or go too deep, they should line up perfectly.
What is a notch in tree cutting?
What is a notch and what does it do? A notch is an opening made into a tree trunk by making two angled cuts into the trunk with the intention being that the notch starts the tree falling in the desired direction of the fall and dictates how long the hinge can work and when it will have to break.
What type of notch is preferred for most trees?
Open-Faced Directional Notch The preferred choice when working with trees on slopes when you want the hinge to remain intact for a longer period of time. Consists of a large opening angle (between 70 - 90 degrees) with the bottom cut angled away from the top and felling cut.
What is a Dutchman in tree felling?
Dutchman. The seat that interferes with the smooth closing of the notch. Caused when one of the notch cuts is made too deep and extends beyond the endpoint of the other notch cut, known as "Bypass".
How deep do you notch a tree?
6 The depth of the notch should be 1/3 of the tree diameter. The face opening of a notch “A” should be equal to the depth of “B”. An open face notch is safest and requires an opening of 70% or more to prevent premature closing of the notch.
When should you notch a tree?
You should mainly target the area between 30-60 inches above the soil surface for notching. Although you can start notching directly after planting, waiting until new shoots are between 1-3 inches long would be better as you can easily distinguish the buds that failed to break.
What not to do when cutting down trees?
Don't Attempt Cutting Down a Rotten Tree Leave rotten trees to the pros. If the heart of the tree is rotted out, the felling direction can be extremely unpredictable. In addition, it most likely has many dead limbs above that just might shake loose and land on you during cutting.
How deep should the wedge be when cutting down a tree?
Cut the face notch just deep enough so that the length of the hinge produced will be a minimum of 80 percent of the tree's diameter at breast height, or DBH. For a stronger felling hinge, avoid cutting the face notch deeper than 30 percent of the diameter of the tree at the cut.
Can you cut off the top of a tree without killing it?
Eventually, the tree may die. Topping can create expensive problems. If the tree dies, it will have to be removed. If it survives, it likely will need corrective pruning, although it will never recover its original, natural form.
What happens if you cut all the branches off a tree?
Trees make food for themselves through a process called photosynthesis. They need leaves to do this. If you remove all the branches and leaves from a tree, it will need to sprout new ones in a hurry as you have just cut off its food supply.
What angle should I cut a tree?
Saw into the tree with a downward motion, at a 70 degree angle on the side facing the direction it will fall. The cut should take up 80 percent of the tree's diameter. To complete the notch, place the saw about 15 inches (38 centimeters) below the cut you just made, and saw into the tree with an upward motion.
How do you do a bore cut?
Make a bore cut. Make a bore cut to about 60 % of the tree diameter.Cut backwards. Cut straight backwards through the whole tree.Cut the other side of the tree. Change your position to the other side of the tree. ... Insert the wedge. Insert the wedge or breaking bar.Saw off the corner.
How do you cut down a tree swing?
4:458:15How to Cut a Swinging Dutchman - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's because i'm watching the tree. And the tree's. Putting more weight here more weight here andMoreIt's because i'm watching the tree. And the tree's. Putting more weight here more weight here and it's doing this work for me so it's walking. Around. And as soon as it starts walking.
How do you cut down a large tree with a chainsaw?
0:183:36How To Cut Down A Tree - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThen pick a direction you want the tree to fall and plan a clear escape path opposite the directionMoreThen pick a direction you want the tree to fall and plan a clear escape path opposite the direction of the fall and at a 45 degree angle.
Question on the Humboldt cut | The BuzzBoard
Reg, to be honest with you in logging at least here on the east coast I don't know of anyone that uses a Humboldt cut to fell a tree. I usually only use a 70 degree open face notch when felling trees so there is no real waste on the butt log that the mills would miss.
How to Notch When Felling Timber - WOODWEB
How to Notch When Felling Timber A discussion of the pros and cons of different notching strategies used when cutting down trees. June 14, 2014
Types Of Tree Felling Cuts, Notches And Techniques - Bovees, where the ...
If you don’t take the proper precautions things can go badly wrong very quickly. The following article is an informational guide for smaller trees up to 20 inches in diameter and if you are inexperienced, you should always consult a professional for advice before attempting any work.
What are the benefits of a humbolt notch?
What are the benefits of the humbolt notch? It seems that they are both as good. Some might say the log is saved because the notch is cut out of the stump, but if you want any control to the ground you are going to pull some wood out of the log from the hinge. The old-timer that taught me showed me what he called a hinge notch. We cut hardwood which gets fatter a fue inch from the ground. he would cut a very steep or even 90% notch only 2 or 3 inches into the tree, not wasting any wood. When the tree would fall, there would not be any tear from the hinge. That is the best that i have seen.
Do you mean facing the tree then partially backcuting?
Do you mean facing the tree then partially backcuting? No. That is not the safest felling procedure cause you have less control over the final lay. I've done it before, but only cause the tree that I was driving was unsafe to cut as it stood by itself, and we had to get people in under it to work some hot spots. We have some pretty strict S.O.P.'s that restrict us from getting too sporty. I cant speak for all agency fallers but most of us take our responsibility serious cause the agency will not back us for operations that fall outside guidelines. We have different certification levels for different saw operators. I have to re cert employees every year to make sure their skill is adequate for the level of their card.
Do loggers use notch?
Loggers here on the east coast use the conventional notch almost entirely. I personally use a humbolt when I know that the tree is going to be harder to wedge because I feel that it makes wedgeing easier. If you know HOW to use it then its just like using a "normal notch" (keep in mind "normal notch" on the east coast would be a humbolt) in that you shouldn't get anymore stump pull.
What is an open face notch?
The open-faced notch. The open-faced notch is perfect for trees that require a high level of accuracy. On the off chance that the individual is cutting in a tight spot, where accuracy is pertinent, the open-faced notch is considered the safest and secure notch to use.
Why is the notch a good technique for tree evacuation?
It is the favored technique among loggers and tree evacuation specialists because it’s safe and fast at the same time. Despite everything it permits a specific amount of accuracy, however not as much as the open-faced notch. In this notch, the topmost cut goes in at an angle, while the bottom cut is horizontal.
Is a Humboldt notch good for inclining trees?
In this type of notch, the kickback over the stump may be bigger, so it is not perfect for inclining trees. However, this notch saves a considerable measure of wood, so when the tree is being cut with the purpose of using the wood, then the Humboldt notch is a decent decision to make.
What is a Humboldt cut?
Humboldt cut or inverse notch. This is a safe and efficient way to fell a tree that is on a steep slope or prone to splitting. • Well suited for thicker trees on steep slopes. • Opening angle of at least 45°. • Horizontal cut has the same angle as the felling cut.
What is a face notch?
2. Open face notch, aiming with bottom cut. Used in some parts of the world for felling trees on flat or slightly sloping terrain and is good for split-prone trees. • Can be used for most purposes in flat or slightly sloping terrain.
Why do you need a notch when felling a tree?
This allows you to control the direction of the fall – essential to avoiding accidents and injury to you and anyone nearby. Simply put, making the directional notch correctly is vital to safely felling a tree. The concept of directional felling is based on creating a “hinge” of wood that guides the tree during the fall.
How to get the hinge right on a tree?
It’s safe and the easiest method to get right. The large opening angle (60-80°), ensures that the hinge remains intact until just before the tree hits the ground. By first making (and aiming with) the angled top cut, it is easier to get the bottom cut to meet the top cut.
Why Cut a Notch in the Tree at all?
By removing a small piece of wood and creating a hinge, you are making sure the tree falls in the direction you’ve chosen to avoid overhead lines, buildings, etc., and ensuring your escape route to a safe distance is not compromised.
Top Cut
This is the first cut you will make and is the cut used to make the top of the notch.
Undercut or Bottom Cut
This is the second cut you will make and is used to cut the lower face of the notch.
Back Cut or Felling Cut
This cut is made on the opposite side to the notch and is usually a horizontal cut at or slightly above the apex of the notch.
Open-Faced Directional Notch
Pros – Most accurate notch. The hinge will remain intact until the tree is almost completely down.
Humboldt Directional Notch
Pros – Leaves a low stump height, especially on steeply sloping terrain.
Open-Faced Directional Notch
First of all, remove the bark and protrusions from the area where you intend to make your directional felling cuts.
How do notch trees work?
A notch is an opening made into a tree trunk by making two angled cuts into the trunk with the intention being that the notch starts the tree falling in the desired direction of the fall and dictates how long the hinge can work and when it will have to break.
What are tree felling notches called?
Many times when workers discuss tree felling notches, the conversation ends up being about what kind of notches are used and what they are called. Typically your hear about a common notch, a Humboldt notch, an open notch, and less frequently a v-notch, or swing notch. It is important to give techniques names because it helps identify one from another; however, it can also cause some problems. Typically when you learn a notching technique you identify the notch with a name and the learner connects the sequence of cuts and angles to that specific notch. This is typical basic training, however, I believe it is equally important to include an educational component that explains the ‘why’ behind the ‘how’. This leaves a worker with an understanding and the ability to make wise choices in order to achieve specific results.
Why is it important to aim notches in the desired direction of fall?
In order to improve safety and control when falling trees it is important to aim notches in the desired direction of fall and ensure that the completed notch opening or aperture should be of sufficient degrees to allow the hinge to provide control all the way to the ground. It is also important that the two cuts made to form the notch meet evenly and have no by-pass as this can encourage premature hinge failure.
How to cut a notch in a tree?
In order to cut a notch in a tree with a crosscut saw and an axe, the first cut is sawn perpendicular to the grain of the tree with the crosscut saw. Next, an axe chips the wood out using downward angled strikes; it is interesting to observe that an axe chips out wood best at a 45-degree angle to the wood grain.
What are the benefits of a humbolt notch?
What are the benefits of the humbolt notch? It seems that they are both as good. Some might say the log is saved because the notch is cut out of the stump, but if you want any control to the ground you are going to pull some wood out of the log from the hinge. The old-timer that taught me showed me what he called a hinge notch. We cut hardwood which gets fatter a fue inch from the ground. he would cut a very steep or even 90% notch only 2 or 3 inches into the tree, not wasting any wood. When the tree would fall, there would not be any tear from the hinge. That is the best that i have seen.
Do you mean facing the tree then partially backcuting?
Do you mean facing the tree then partially backcuting? No. That is not the safest felling procedure cause you have less control over the final lay. I've done it before, but only cause the tree that I was driving was unsafe to cut as it stood by itself, and we had to get people in under it to work some hot spots. We have some pretty strict S.O.P.'s that restrict us from getting too sporty. I cant speak for all agency fallers but most of us take our responsibility serious cause the agency will not back us for operations that fall outside guidelines. We have different certification levels for different saw operators. I have to re cert employees every year to make sure their skill is adequate for the level of their card.
Do loggers use notch?
Loggers here on the east coast use the conventional notch almost entirely. I personally use a humbolt when I know that the tree is going to be harder to wedge because I feel that it makes wedgeing easier. If you know HOW to use it then its just like using a "normal notch" (keep in mind "normal notch" on the east coast would be a humbolt) in that you shouldn't get anymore stump pull.
