That could be good advice. If you strike high up on a tree with an axe, the chip of wood that is cut off will fall into your eye.

VOA: special.2010.01.17

John took out his axe and cut down the tree.

VOA: special.2010.06.26

"To plant crops,we need a pick axe, machete and other tools."

VOA: standard.2010.04.02