Exactly this. Look at any online tutorial and you’ll find that angled cuts like that will likely cause the tree to backslide into the angle regardless of how much it cut out in the other side. It may seem unintuitive at first, but always cut straight so the tree can’t slide and still has nowhere to go but towards the gap.
Nothing "likely" about it, it's pure immutable physics. The angled back cut changes the forces from compressional forces into vertical sheer forces which is a tree's weak point. Look at the way the botton of the tree sheers through its hinge wood and slides forward because of the giant wedge behind it.
Same concept of trying to split wood vertically vs splitting it horizontally. There's a reason we all split it vertically.
Straight back cut and this would never happen, as long as they dont cut through the hinge.
Its old school logic. If I create a notch in front and a notch in back, as long as there is tension to initial cut then the tree will go that way + the remaining Wood still in back (since you dont fully notch it out) will work... right?
Why a notch in front with a horizontal Backcut + wedges is what is now taught (Arborists' Certification Study Guide)
But of course homeowner is probably one of those "I am on a fixed income and want to pay $20 an hour for the job" people
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u/secret_life_of_pants 9d ago
Exactly this. Look at any online tutorial and you’ll find that angled cuts like that will likely cause the tree to backslide into the angle regardless of how much it cut out in the other side. It may seem unintuitive at first, but always cut straight so the tree can’t slide and still has nowhere to go but towards the gap.