When hinge cutting for deer habitat, we are often cutting in woods with very high stem density, so that trees sometimes get hung up.

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It is not always possible to be able to pull the tree to the ground using a cable and vehicle or comealong. One way to get the tree to the ground is by clocking it, or cutting off small pieces and working your way up the tree. Here I demonstrate doing this with a small tree and Jake Ehlinger demonstrates it with a larger tree.

Because the tree is supported on both ends, the release cut must be made at the bottom. The top is cut first about one third into the tree. The an offset cut is made in the bottom to release the tree, but we make sure to leave hinge wood between the two cuts in order to direct the fall of the tree. Holding wood is essential to control the tree.