Device and method for performing cross cuts on workpieces of wood

The device has a sawing station with cross-cut saw downstream of a feed transport device feeding workpieces to a transport unit of the sawing station that has a drive separate from that of the feed transport device. The feed transport device has a retaining/accumulating unit driven independently of a transport element of the feed transport device and subjecting the workpieces to a slower supply speed than the transport element. A transfer transport device is located between retaining/accumulating unit and sawing station. The drive of the transport element of the transfer transport device is controlled/adjusted independent of or by the drive of the retaining/accumulating unit via mechanically coupled step-up gear. The workpieces initially accumulate in the feed transport device and abut each other and are then transported onward with acceleration so that they are again spaced apart. The workpiece position is detected in the region of the transfer transport device.