handfelled

Handfelled refers to timber that has been cut down using manual labor, typically with an axe or a hand saw, rather than by mechanical means such as a chainsaw or a felling machine. This method of harvesting trees has been practiced for centuries and was the primary way timber was obtained before the advent of modern technology. Handfelling requires skill and strength, as the logger must accurately assess the tree's lean, surrounding obstacles, and the desired direction of fall.

The process of handfelling involves making a notch on the side of the tree where the fall is intended, known as the undercut or face cut. This notch is typically a V-shape. On the opposite side, a back cut is made slightly higher than the undercut, and this cut is gradually deepened until the tree begins to fall. A wedge is often inserted into the back cut to help control the direction of the fall and prevent the saw or axe from getting pinched. The aim is to guide the tree to fall in a specific, safe direction.

While less common today due to the efficiency of mechanized harvesting, handfelling is still practiced in certain situations. These include areas with difficult terrain where machinery cannot easily access, in selective logging operations where preserving surrounding trees is paramount, or for artisanal woodworkers and craftspeople who prefer the quality and character of hand-felled timber. It is also sometimes used in urban forestry or for removing hazardous trees in close proximity to structures. The slower pace of handfelling allows for greater precision and can result in less damage to the surrounding forest ecosystem.