Switched to a 3-step pruning cut on a big oak last month and saved my shoulder

I had this big red oak near Dayton that needed a heavy limb taken off, maybe 8 inches thick. My old method of just cutting from the top left me fighting the weight and nearly twisted my back. I tried the 3-step cut I saw in a workshop video, cut a notch underneath first then the top cut a few inches out. The limb dropped clean without tearing the bark and I didn't have to wrestle it at all. Took maybe 20 minutes total instead of the usual hour-long tug of war. Anyone else switch up their cut technique and notice a big difference in strain?

2 comments

2 Comments

richard_shah1mo ago

Notch should be on top actually, not underneath.

emma5221mo ago

Why would you want it on top where your finger always covers it? Bottom placement keeps it out of the way during actual gaming. Swiping down for notifications is way more natural there.