What is a Humboldt notch in a tree?
The Humboldt notch is another common notch when cutting trees. In this notch, the top cut is made horizontally, while the base goes in at an upward point. In this type of notch, the kickback over the stump may be bigger, so it is not perfect for inclining trees.
What is a notch?
The conventional notch came about when the only tools available for cutting down trees were the humble saw and axe. Nowadays most professional loggers will use a chainsaw to create directional notches and back cuts.
What is a Humboldt 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. There are 3 main types of notch; open-faced, conventional, or a Humboldt notch.
What is a notch when cutting a tree?
In this notch, the topmost cut goes in at an angle, while the bottom cut is horizontal. The Humboldt notch is another common notch when cutting trees. In this notch, the top cut is made horizontally, while the base goes in at an upward point.
What is a Dutchman cut?
Dutchman: A Dutchman occurs when either the horizontal or sloping cut extend past each other. This results in an “undercut within an undercut” that closes before the tree is committed to the undercut causing the holding wood behind it to break prematurely.
What does the Notch do during tree felling?
The concept of directional felling is based on creating a “hinge” of wood that guides the tree during the fall. The hinge is formed by the directional notch and the final felling cut. The placement, angle and depth of the directional notch are critical to ensuring the desired direction of the fall.
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.
How far do you notch a tree to fall?
When felling a tree, the rule of thumb is to make the depth of the notch one-fifth of the tree trunk's diameter. The goal is to make the angles as shown in the diagram (or as close as you can). The felling cut should meet the point of the notch.
What is the correct way to notch a tree?
0:135:40How to Safely Notch a Tree for Direct Felling - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou have to leave wood in the middle you leave wood for hinge. That's what if you cut all the wayMoreYou have to leave wood in the middle you leave wood for hinge. That's what if you cut all the way through till you hit the notch. Then you've got no control in it and it'll fall on its own.
Do you cut above or below the notch?
Begin your cut 2 inches (5 cm) higher than the bottom of the notch. Cut until there is 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of wood between the felling cut and the notch. Do not cut all the way through to notch. Stand to the side of the tree when felling, not directly in front or behind.
What is a Humboldt undercut?
Humboldt Undercut (face). One of the types of undercuts (face cuts) commonly used to fall a tree. The 45° sloping cut (face) section is removed from the stump of the tree.
What angle do you cut trees?
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.
What is an undercut on a tree?
Undercut : Serves as the guide or aim slot for the tree. The undercut should be about one-fourth of the tree's diameter in depth. Although trees up to 6 inches diameter can be cut clear through, I do not recommend it as the tree may fall upon itself and not move.
What type of notch is preferred for most trees?
open-faced notchThe 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. In this notch, a vast, sideways V is cut into the side of the tree.
What side of the tree do you make your first cut?
The notch is what will allow the tree to fall properly, so you want it on the “fall side” so the tree will fall in the direction of the notch. The fall side should be the heaviest side of the tree. Cut at a comfortable working height.
Can I notch a tree without killing it?
Find the root posing an issue and measure its diameter. If it is less than 2", it is okay to cut as long as the total root loss will not add up to more than 15% of the surface roots. Measure the diameter of your tree. Wrap a measuring tape around the tree, four feet from the tree's base.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Where was the Humbolt developed?
Location: Rabbit Hash, Kentucky. The Humbolt was developed in the Pacific Northwest for dropping trees in step hillsides and made the notch piece easier to get out of the tree. Some of those notch pieces weighed a few hundred pounds.
Can you put a snipe on a Humboldt?
You can put a snipe on the humboldt and it will stay connected longer. I prefer the humboldt myself since the block falls out on it's own. It's nice in bigger trees.
Is Humboldt wood popular on the West Coast?
Humboldt is popular on the West coast. I use all three depending on the situation. I tend to use a conventional notch when cutting for firewood, unless I have to be very precise about the direction of fall, then I'll go with an open face notch and bore-cut.
