The last of the three cuts required to fall a tree. Located on the opposite side of the tree from the undercut (face) and minimally two inches (5 cm) above the horizontal cut of the undercut (face). The two inches (5 cm) is referred to as stump shot and prevents the tree from kicking back over the stump toward the faller. The backcut must never be continued to a point at which no holding wood remains. Variations of backcutting are discussed in side-boring backcut and side-notching backcut.

Final cut in felling a tree. Made on the opposite side of the direction of fall

The last of the three cuts required to fall a tree. Located on the opposite side of the tree from the face and minimally 1" above the horizontal cut of the face. The 1" is referred to as stump shot and prevents the tree from kicking back over the stump toward the faller. The backcut must never be continued to a point at which no holding wood remains. Variations of backcutting are discussed in: face-boring backcut, side-boring backcut, and side-notching backcut. BACK LEAN/SIDE LEAN: Weight of tree is opposite or opposed to the intended felling direction.