Abstract: A compact, hand-held cutting tool for manually girdling trees. The tool is generally L-shaped and includes an elongate body portion having a leading end and a trailing end, and a handle extending laterally from the trailing end for gripping by the operator. The elongate body portion has a substantially planar guide surface for contacting an outer surface section of the tree to be girdled. A generally U-shaped cutting blade is pivotally coupled to the elongate body proximate the trailing end. The angle of inclination of the cutting blade relative to the guide surface is adjustable to achieve an optimum depth cut in trees of varying diameter.