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	Occupational Safety & Health Administration
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The Open-faced Top Cut The top cut is the first of two cuts that result in an open faced notch. The notch is made on the side of the tree that faces the direction you want it to fall. The Correct Cut 1. Starting Point Important -- begin at any height as long as you allow enough room for the undercut 2. Angle of Attack Important -- cut downward at an angle of 70 degrees 3. Ending Point Stop when the cut reaches 1/4 to 1/3 of the trunk's diameter or when the cut reaches 80% of the tree's diameter at breast height Common Incorrect Cuts Here the top cut is not steep enough resulting in a notch of less than 45 degrees. Here the bottom cut is not steep enough, resulting in a notch of less than 45 degrees.   Continue with the Open-faced Notch Return to the Cuts page

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