Dove Tail

Full dovetail notching was developed in Europe and found frequently in Pennsylvania, A full-dovetail is cut at a compound angle on both the top and bottom edges and is the most elaborate form or corner timbering. Early in the development of log construction, full-dovetail evolved into the half-dovetail notch which provided the same sound joint with less labor. The top edge of the logs has a simple notch angled downward from back to front, and the bottom has a simple notch angled upward from the end. This dovetail is often known simply as "dovetail" in the mountains. Square notching is believed to be English in origin and has been the predominant historical log style found in the Eastern North America.