Falling Large Madrone
Picture 15 of 28
Undercut in a large madrone tree. The undercut is a notch cut into the tree in the direction that the tree is to be felled. This undercut is much deeper than necessary since it was modified after a change in plans on the exact direction of fall. But there is still enough wood in the back cut for a safe fall. In selective cutting, great care must be taken in precisely falling the trees in a direction that will do the least damage to the surrounding trees that will be left to grow. The top of this madrone tree died and the rest of the tree will likely follow, so it is being harvested so healthier trees can take its place.