A felling notch should not generally exceed a depth of how much?

The correct depth for a felling notch is typically recommended to be no more than one-third the diameter of the tree. This guideline helps ensure that the tree maintains sufficient structural integrity during the felling process. A notch that is too deep can weaken the tree and increase the risk of unintended falling direction, making it unsafe for the person cutting the tree and potentially causing damage to surrounding property or injury to people.

By keeping the notch at one-third of the diameter, the tree retains enough strong wood on the opposite side to allow for proper hinge function. The hinge is crucial for controlling the direction of the tree’s fall. A well-formed hinge guides the tree's fall in a predictable manner, reducing the likelihood of kickback or erratic falls.

Thus, for safety and effective tree felling practices, the recommendation of one-third the diameter strikes a balance between creating an effective notch for directional control while preserving the necessary structural elements of the tree to prevent accidents.