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?

3 comments

3 Comments

uma_lopez3mo 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.

kai3273mo ago

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

aarons361mo ago

Think about how much more stable those cuts are in high winds compared to conventional ones. The flat top reduces sail area so the whole tree doesn't act like a lever in a storm. We had a derecho come through last summer and the only trees still standing were the ones topped like that.