Dynamics of tree felling

[DogFather73]

Forgive me, but I'm a newbie who just can't understand this:

In felling a tree, if the notch cut is not made deep enough that the tree's center of gravity is over the notch, why would the tree begin to lean/fall into the notch - which is away from the tree's COG? Why wouldn't it tend to lean backward into the back cut - which would be beneath the tree's COG?

I'm sure there's a good explanation that I'm missing.

Thanks.

 

[Del_]

Always fell with the wind.

 

[mike515]

If the tree is leaning away from your notch it's going to sit back on your back cut. Put a rope in it and have some wedges and a sledge hammer ready.

 

[BC WetCoast]

The difficulty can be determining the centre of gravity.. If the tree has a lot of canopy, this can affect the location of the CoG.

Also if the tree is a conifer with a bend in it, the centre of gravity can actually be outside the tree.

 

[ATH]

It should also be noted that on most trees, it is not hard to lift it just a little with wedges and get it to tip towards the notch.

 

[BuckmasterStumpGrinding]

The hinge can also break sending the tree backwards or to the side if you don't know what you are doing.