The way to cut down a tree is to cut first a big chunk out of the side
to which you want the tree to fall, and then to cut into the opposite
side to fell it.
Begin your Notch 1, or the "kerf," as it is called, by chopping two
marks, the upper one, A, at a distance above the other, B, equal to
half the thickness of the tree.
[Illustration: THE KERF.]
Then cut alternately, first a horizontal cut at B, then a sideways,
downward cut at A, and jerk out the chunk between the two; go on doing
this till you get to the centre of the tree. The reason for making A
and B so far apart is that if you begin with too narrow a kerf your
axe gets wedged in the cut more easily.
* * * * *