3 Steps to Safely Fell a Leaning Tree With a Wedge

Make a conventional notch on the lean side Cut a standard notch facing the direction the tree is leaning.

Bore cut from the side, behind the hinge Instead of a back cut, bore into the tree from the side, cutting toward the notch. Leave a strip of wood (the hinge) intact.

Drive wedges into the back cut Once the bore is through, insert wedges behind the hinge to control the fall. This prevents your saw from getting pinched.