woodcutting

Woodcutting is the process of cutting, removing, and shaping wood, typically by harvesting trees for timber or for woodworking. It covers activities from felling and log extraction to milling and finishing, as well as craft-based carving and, in some contexts, relief printing on wood blocks.

Tools range from hand tools such as axes, hatchets, saws (crosscut and rip), chisels, drawknives, and planes, to power tools including chainsaws, circular saws, band saws, and planers. Techniques vary with the desired outcome, from rough timber production to precise joinery.

In forestry and lumber production, woodcutting involves felling trees, delimbing, and bucking the logs for transport. Milling converts logs into lumber, boards, or planks, while drying or seasoning reduces moisture content for construction, furniture, and manufacturing.

Woodcutting in art refers to the woodcut, a relief printing technique in which an image is carved into a wooden block, inked, and pressed onto paper. It has a long history in East Asia and Europe and allows multiple impressions from a single block.

Safety and environmental considerations are central to woodcutting. Protective equipment, training, and adherence to safety protocols reduce injury risk, particularly with chainsaws. Sustainable forestry practices, biodiversity protection, and reforestation programs aim to minimize ecological impact.

The practice underpins construction, carpentry, furniture making, and energy, and also supports traditional crafts and artistic production.