What it does
A hinge of sound wood of the right width and thickness keeps the tree from twisting, kicking back or sliding off the stump sideways. Its fibers bend and then break as the tree comes over, which is what slows and steers the fall.
Because the hinge is the part that holds the tree, any weakness in it changes how the tree behaves. This page names the part; it is not a guide to cutting it.
Why it matters in Northern Nevada
Many older Siberian elms, cottonwoods and willows on valley lots have decay in the trunk or at the base, and a rotten hinge can fail early or unevenly. Pines killed by beetles can be brittle in the trunk as well. A tree with a hollow, a conk or a cavity at the cut height cannot be trusted to hinge. See warning signs before a tree fails.
That is one reason arborists look for decay before a tree is cut, and why such a tree often goes down in pieces or by crane instead.
What an arborist does about it
The certified arborist checks the base and trunk for decay, cracks and lean before deciding whether a tree can be felled whole at all. If the hinge cannot be trusted, the plan changes to sectional dismantling or a crane lift. We do not publish felling instructions; to have a tree removed, call 775.232.8243 for a free estimate.
If a tree has been cut and left standing on its hinge, or a storm has broken one partway, do not go near it. A partly cut or broken tree can drop without warning, and that is a call to an arborist or, if anyone is hurt, to 911.
Sources
- International Society of Arboriculture, Trees Are Good: Why Hire an Arborist (brochure) (read October 17, 2026)