Cutting trees, in a safe and predictable fashion, is all about applied physics with a bit of artistic embellishment. These elements of tree felling, or logging, align with the beauty of the final product. The Ashen Cabin portrays technical detail from design through assembly, but does so with the beauty one would expect from an artistic effort. The felling of the trees starts by assessing the potential for hazards, such as dead branches or standing dead trees. The lean of the tree is assessed, and a cutting plan is developed to ensure that the tree can fall in a desired direction. A front notch is cut at the base of the stem, and then the center of the stem is removed with a “bore cut” that creates a “hinge” behind the notch. The finishing cut allows the tree to fall gracefully and without damage to other trees.  Approximately ten ash trees, likely infested by Emerald Ash Borer, were harvested for use in the Ashen Cabin. These trees now show their inner beauty and graceful lines for all to see.

— Peter Smallidge [Project Collaborator and Director of the Cornell Arnot Teaching and Research Forest]