A splitter is provided for mounting on the leading face of a cutting assembly to be mounted on a brush cutter. In one embodiment, the splitter is preferably mounted below the cutting portion of the tooth such that as wood is cut, the cut wood is directed onto the splitter for further cutting. The tooth is mounted to cut tangentially with respect to the rotation of the cutter, while the splitter cuts radially and outwardly with respect to the rotation of the cutter. In this manner, a cutting mechanism is provided that is capable of cutting tangentially and radially simultaneously. The flow of cut wood is directed out of from the cutting assembly, thus facilitating the removal of the cutting debris away from the tooth holder and the cutting tooth, thereby cleaning the tooth of any debris and preventing wood and other debris from getting lodged within the cutting assembly.