Big leaf maple in Portland made me rethink my notch cuts

Last month I was on a removal in Portland and this huge big leaf maple had a weird lean over a garage. My usual open face notch felt wrong, so I tried a Humboldt on the side I normally wouldn't. The tree sat back and dropped exactly where I aimed, no barber chair drama. I've been doing this for 11 years and that one cut switched my default on leaning trees. Anyone else switch notch styles based on the lean direction, or am I overthinking it?

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mason2091mo ago

I'll be honest, I don't buy that the notch style is what saved you there. A Humboldt and an open face both do the same basic thing, it's the hinge and the back cut that control the fall. If that maple sat back and still went where you aimed, your hinge was probably just right that day and the lean wasn't as bad as it looked from the ground. I've seen guys swear by a Humboldt on leaners and then barber chair the next one with the exact same cut. What you did with the side you chose and how you set your hinge matters way more than which corner you cut out. Not saying you're wrong to change it up, but calling it the notch that did it feels like giving the credit to the wrong part of the job.

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