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The Open-faced Top Cut
  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
 
1. Starting Point
Important -- begin at any height as long as you allow enough room for the undercut.
 		   Diagram of Top Cut with Starting Point, Angle of Attack, and Ending Point Diagram of Cross-section
2. Angle of Attack
Important -- cut downward at an angle of 70 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
 
Arrow Common Incorrect Cut - The top cut is not steep enough resulting in a notch of less than 45 degrees.   Common Incorrect Cut - The bottom cut is not steep enough, resulting in a notch of less than 45 degrees.
  Here the top cut is not steep
enough resulting in a notch of less
than 45 degrees.		   Here the bottom cut is not steep enough, resulting in a notch of less than 45 degrees.  
 
   
 
Continue with The Open-faced Bottom or Undercut >>

  

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