U.S. Department of Labor
	Occupational Safety & Health Administration
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The Conventional Top Cut The top cut is the first of two cuts that result in a conventional notch. The notch is made on the side of the tree that faces the direction you want it to fall. The Correct Cut 1. Starting Point Important -- begin at any height as long as you allow enough room for the undercut 2. Angle of Attack Important -- cut downward at an angle of 45 degrees 3. Ending Point Stop when the cut reaches 1/4 to 1/3 of the trunk's diameter or when the cut reaches 80% of the tree's diameter at breast height

	Common Incorrect Cuts

Here the top cut is not steep enough resulting in a notch of less than 45 degrees.

	Continue with the Conventional Notch Return to the Cuts page

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