Why do loggers in the pacific northwest, climb up the tree and cut the top of the tree off?

Question

Why do loggers in the pacific northwest, climb up the tree and cut the top of the tree off?

Answer 1

For 2 reasons:

1- If the entire tree were felled in one act the speed of the top of the tree would be so great it would splinter and potentially split the tree's trunk futher down, whereas if the tree is topped the part cutoff top only has to fall 100-200 feet with less momentum.

2- topping the tree makes it shorter and increases the opportunity to fall the tree without it hanging up in another tree.  One tree hanging up in another is known as a widow maker and for good reason.

Answer 2

That is how we get our Christmas trees ;)

I am sorry,  I could not help myself, I believe it is waste, like the limbs. To small to market.

Plus the trunk of the tree could break in an uncontrolled location during the fall.

Answer 3

You always cut the head of the snake off first .

Answer 4

because they have no brains.