quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
If you find yourself asking the best way to "Do It Yourself", then you are already in over your head (tree pun not intended...).

This ^^^^^ and ...

quote:
Originally posted by sigmonkey:
... as other's have opined, "call the man..."

Yeah... I think "call the man..." is good advice.

But... if I were going to do it I would use either a chain saw or a pole saw.
Mine is a gas operated Stihl but I think the electric models have come a long way.

I have the Milwaukee Fuel 18v Reciprocating Saw and also their chainsaw (actually a buddies I borrowed).
I USED to use the recip saw and it does work but the chainsaw version is WAY better, not even close.
Seems to chew through batteries though but still very effective.

Thanks Fritz.

The maples are only about 10' high. We took down a cherry tree that was pretty similar with just the Silky saw.

I'm planning to thin out the tree using the reciprocating saw - cut off many of the branches.

Then maybe either cut the tree trunk down or top it first (cut it about halfway down) using the Silky. I am getting a Silky like blade (9") for the recip that may be useful here but worst case I can use the Silky. The cherry tree wasn't that hard to fell.

The saw is mostly for clean up - cutting all the branches into smaller sizes so that it will all fit into the waste container for pick up by our garbage company. I could do this using the Silky and/or loppers but this volume would be exhausting and time consuming. Looking for a saw to make it easier and faster. The base of the trunks is thick at about 6-8" but it thins pretty quickly going up the trees.

The oak tree branches higher up are the challenge. I'll be hiring someone for that. If the cost for the maple trees is just incremental to that, I'll have them do the maples as well.

But I'll need to buy a tool anyway - I have other trimming / pruning to do and have have some wood to cut (2x4's, 4x4's, pallets to tear down).

quote:

Originally posted by fritz:
As I see it, the possibilities for variably-stressed areas of wood and for a weight-unbalanced tree. If it were my tree, it would hesitate to take it down, given the saws I own.

Given your following statement...

quote:

Originally posted by fritz:
But....I've been felling, trimming, and bucking wood for many, many moons.

... I suspect you meant to write "wouldn't hesitate?"

quote:

Originally posted by fritz:
Every tree, every branch is different. Wood is weighted and stressed in ways we sometimes don't easily perceive. Trees are rarely balanced in their weight distribution. Wood must be cut correctly to break in the desired place, and to fall in the desired direction.

Even when you do think you've gauged it correctly live wood can surprise you--either because you didn't really gauge it correctly or because live wood doesn't always do what you expect it to do.

A few years back I was trimming a small Redbud tree. Trunk no more than a few inches in diameter. Taking a small limb off--confident I knew where it would go, I commenced to cutting. Got smacked in the head with the thing. If I'm being honest with myself I have to admit it was likely because I hadn't studied the situation closely enough before going at it. Luckily it was a very small limb so the only injury was to my ego. (I now wear a Stihl helmet with earpro and face guard for any job for which I use one of my chain saws--even when it seems too trivial to bother with.)

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
I have the Milwaukee Fuel 18v Reciprocating Saw and also their chainsaw (actually a buddies I borrowed).
I USED to use the recip saw and it does work but the chainsaw version is WAY better, not even close.
Seems to chew through batteries though but still very effective.

I may end up buying both saws, the Bosch recip and either the Milwaukee or Stihl mini chainsaw.

The recip saw is something that I think will be generally useful even after this job. Maybe not ideal for this job but long term more practical.

If I get the mini chain, not sure which one yet. The Milwaukee - I have M18 batteries already. The 8" bar may either more than I need or better - not sure. I don't think bigger is necessarily better for me uses. But it auto oils and such. The Stihl seems like a good size for me and my wife. But doesn't auto oil and the battery time is not very good (15-30min?).

I wish Bosch had a mini chain.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
I suspect you meant to write "wouldn't hesitate?"

Yep, I just don't always tipe gud.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
Luckily it was a very small limb so the only injury was to my ego. (I now wear a Stihl helmet with earpro and face guard for any job for which I use one of my chain saws--even when it seems too trivial to bother with.)

Pretty much everyone with a chainsaw has a few stories to tell. Hopefully, we all learn from them and keep ourselves out of trouble.

Trimming and bucking the tree with the trunk that remained off the ground. I didn't really care much for this tree, as I'm currently bucking trunks into 6' long logs to clog up some of our erosion gullies. If the webz calculations are correct for wood weights, the butt-end 6' log clocked in around 800-900 pounds. Heavy boots, saw chaps, lighter denim jacket over a long sleeve shirt, foam ear plugs, Stihl helmet system.

quote:

Originally posted by fritz:
Trimming and bucking the tree ... Heavy boots, saw chaps, ...

Boots and the chaps come out when I get out the "Big Dog." (For me that's my Stihl 025 with an 18 in. bar.)

I was once bucking some wood out in the back yard, got lazy/careless, and damn >< near ran the running bar into my left leg. Came w/in two-three inches. Way too close.

That was a wakeup call to never again become complacent with my chainsaws--or any of my power tools. But, just in case, I went right out and bought the chaps and never again wore sneakers using that saw.

quote:

Originally posted by kyledavidzim:
I use this for my branches. Works well and cuts with little effort. You can get another extension to 24’, but gets kind of unstable at that length.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d...pop_mob_b_asin_title

I was going to mention this but got sidetracked. I bought this to cut down some dead branches about 15 to 20 feet off the ground. Takes a bit of time but works very well. I’ve cut up to 6” branches with it.

Okay, current trend:

1. high oak branches - hire arborist. I could maybe do some of them but there are others I'd need to figure out. But as Monkey and others have recommended, if I have to ask how, hire someone.

2. maples - I've done this similar trees before. It was tiring but technically not hard. The cleanup was the most effort / tiring. I'll get a quote but if it's costs "too much" then I'll just do it myself. I've got my Silky and I'll buy at least the recip saw.

I'm still deciding on the mini chain:
(a) Stihl: $160 + $60 (spare battery) = $220
Pros:
* nice size, if anything a bit on the smaller side (4" exposed bar as far as I can tell; total bar length is 6-8"?). But probably sufficient for anything I would do.
* Made in USA (some foreign parts) a big plus.
* Good size - easy to wield with one hand (light and small)
Cons:
* Another battery type to keep.
* Battery life seems sort (20 min?)
* Battery doesn't seem usable for any other tool.
* Doesn't seem to other battery options (no larger batteries).
* Need to manually oil the chain

(b) Milwaukee M18: $200
Pros:
* A little larger (8" bar); longer by about 4" (not sure if this is exposed bar length or total size; if total size, the exposed bar length may be very close to the Stihl and not a differentiating factor) and a couple of pounds. Still manageable and probably a good size.
* I have M18 batteries already. Batteries shared w/ other tools. Battery life can be extended - have multiple batteries already and can buy larger batteries.
* Auto-oil.
Cons:
* Chicom company. Product made in chicom. Huge minus.
* Trying to get off Milwaukee and onto Bosch.
* Heavier, larger - more difficult to use w/ one hand.

Hard decision: is there any first hand experience (info not in paper specs) that you guys can share that would break the tie?


ETA: Never mind. After watching a number of videos for both the Stihl and the Mil, if I get a mini chain saw, I'm probably going to to get the Mil M18. The Stihl may be enough for me but a little extra headroom doesn't hurt. I don't care of a chicom product but I can't find an offering from Bosch. Makita 18V may be an option and seemed to do well but it's another battery system.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: konata88,

I think I've read one problem with the smaller electric chain saws is the bar oiling system, either small reservoir or inconsistent oiling. Not a deal breaker but needs to be checked out.

I have a HF corded electric pole saw that is remarkably useful and effective. Not very mobile unless I string a bunch of extension cord. As much as I'd like a electric battery small saw, I can't justify it with my other saws on hand.

bump for help for one final advice at the top of the OP.

I'm approaching retirement. I've lived a full life.

But it occurs to me now - How did I get through all these years without a reciprocating saw? Man, I should have bought one of these things a long, long time ago.

What a great tool. And what a time saver. It's kinda heavy but it's been great using it over the past month or so. I got the mini chain saw too but haven't opened the box yet. Both Makita.

I also got a Notch / Silky pole saw; just like the hand held Silky saws, the pole is awesome. It's still tiring but otherwise pretty effortless.

Well, it's been a long four months and thousands of dollars and triple digits of work hours later, I've finally renewed insurance. Calling the man was the right thing for many reasons.

Wondered what happened with this saga, glad you got it done safely and insurance renewed, it's crazy what we have to go through for the sake of home ownership....

Thanks. I'm happy it's over.

I've thought about this. I get that a tree may be fuel for a wildfire. But in the absence of a wildfire, I think trees in general are helpful in prevention. They may reduce the CO2 load in the atmosphere. They provide shade and enable vegetation in the drip line. Etc.

So, removing trees remove the immediate fuel. But I'm not sure the net holistic regional or global impact is positive. These trees took hundreds of years to get to their size. Wiped out on a whim.

quote:

Originally posted by 9x18:
So I decided to rent a power pole saw. What a great thing it turned out to do. It made light work of a chore and I ended up looking for additional limbs that needed cutting.

Powered pole saws are great, we have a few on the ranch. They will work your shoulders and back. You’d think that they’d be much safer than a regular chainsaw as I can’t think of how you could cut yourself with one. However, cut limbs fall in all sorts of unpredictable ways. 6” oak is quite heavy and hazardous.

My suggestion would be to make darned sure that the company you hire has current worker’s comp coverage.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Thanks. I'm happy it's over.

I've thought about this. I get that a tree may be fuel for a wildfire. But in the absence of a wildfire, I think trees in general are helpful in prevention. They may reduce the CO2 load in the atmosphere. They provide shade and enable vegetation in the drip line. Etc.

So, removing trees remove the immediate fuel. But I'm not sure the net holistic regional or global impact is positive. These trees took hundreds of years to get to their size. Wiped out on a whim.

Trees are wonderful and provide much enjoyment.
However, too close to a house they become a problem.
Glad you solved yours.

They can be a lot easier to plant than to take down.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
I've thought about this. I get that a tree may be fuel for a wildfire. But in the absence of a wildfire, I think trees in general are helpful in prevention. They may reduce the CO2 load in the atmosphere. They provide shade and enable vegetation in the drip line. Etc.

So, removing trees remove the immediate fuel. But I'm not sure the net holistic regional or global impact is positive. These trees took hundreds of years to get to their size. Wiped out on a whim.

Trees start as seeds or cuttings. They can grow rapidly during their prime. Their growth rate eventually slows dramatically, then they might wither and die. It's a multi-year cycle. Maybe a century cycle, for some tree species.

"Whim".... In March and April of 2019, multiple weekly snow and wind storms uprooted entire trees, broke trunks & limbs at the family ranch. 120 acres of prime pine forest. We've dealt with the damage of 100 acres so far -- the remaining 20 acres still looks like bombs went off. I have no idea of how many hundreds of trees were damaged and killed.

"Whim".... Drought over the past 2-3 years has allowed pine beetles to invade and kill way too many of our previously healthy trees. So far in 2023 and 2024, I've felled and cut up 120 trees. The dead trees range from 10" diameter and 30-ish feet tall to 36" in diameter and 80-ish feet tall. I suspect I have at least 100 more beetle-kill trees to fell. Two weekends ago I found & marked 3 previously unknown beetle trees. Three weekends ago I found & marked 4 previously unknown trees.

New trees are sprouting up like weeds on our land -- growing in open, sunny areas that were previously in the shade.

I've seen way too many city trees that grew too large and too old for their surroundings. They sometimes crash onto buildings, vehicles, power lines, and roads. Arborists need to cull such danger trees before they actually cause problems. This isn't a "whim", it's the cycle of tree management.