Serious question, has anyone else tried a flat cut versus a notch on a heavy leaner?

I had this big silver maple with a nasty lean toward a fence line last week. For years I've used a standard notch, but this time I tried a flat cut on the face, basically just a straight backcut with a small hinge. The difference was huge. The flat cut gave me way more control on the pull line, letting the hinge work longer so the tree sat down gentle instead of slamming. With the notch, it always felt like a gamble on the final moment, especially with that much weight already moving. This one went exactly where I wanted, maybe an inch from the fence post. I'm switching to flat cuts for any real leaner from now on. What's your go-to cut for a situation like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

uma_lopez20d ago

Lmao my first time trying a flat cut I was so sure I'd messed it up. That tree sat down like it was on a pillow, and I just stood there waiting for the disaster that never came.

kai32720d ago

Took me a minute to believe it actually worked that clean.