A double cut control system and method are disclosed for a felling head having a saw disc. The felling head may be positioned by a knuckle boom, which includes a hoist boom and a stick boom coupled by a knuckle and positioned by hydraulic cylinders actuated by a hydraulic pump and hydraulic control valves. The control system has an operator input device for input of operator commands including a double cut control input command. Position sensors provide position values for the knuckle boom and the felling head. At least one controller receives the operator commands and position values. After receiving the double cut control input command, the controller generates a first cut control signal to direct flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders to position the knuckle boom to advance the felling head in a single fore-aft direction a set distance corresponding to a partial depth cut.