Fell a small tree safely
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Know when this is not your job.
Taller than two of you, thicker than 25 cm, leaning toward anything it could hit, near lines or buildings: hire a professional. This atoma is for genuinely small trees with open space all around.
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Clear two escape routes.
Diagonally backward from the planned fall line, both sides, free of trip hazards. You will use one of them.
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Cut the notch on the falling side.
A wedge one third into the trunk, open mouth facing exactly where the tree should land. The notch decides the direction, not your hope.
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Make the back cut slightly higher.
From the opposite side, a few centimetres above the notch floor, stopping before the cuts meet. The uncut strip is the hinge that steers the fall.
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Retreat the moment it tips.
Saw down, walk the escape route, never turn your back at the stump. Trees kick backward over the stump; the first three metres are the danger zone.
- 1 Founder draft core @bernard ⚡ new
#1 becomes the Core. This atoma is young: submit a better distillation and take the seat.
No gear needed. Your pot, a timer and ice are enough. That is the point.
