"mm" wrote in message
...
A 16" diameter tree fell across a stream and a neighbor doesn't like
it because leaves, sticks, etc. and some plastic bottles, like retail
water bottles, and other soft plastic and a few aluminimum cans pile
up behind the log, and she says it smells some times.

1) Specifically, if I cut it into 4 sections, one of the cuts would be
where the trash is piled up, above the water line. Is it necessary
to get that stuff out of there before cutting? (IIRC the major reason
for not cutting a log on the ground was dulling the blade and the saw
being pulled out of your hands, neither of which would apply here.)

2) The tree is about 16 inches in diameter towards the roots, maybe 14
inches at the other end 14 feet away. Is it better to rent an 18"
saw, which will be heavier and harder to handle, or better to rent a
10" saw which will require two cuts for each cut but will be much
easier to handle.

What happens if the chain end of the saw dips into the water while
running? Do I just put more oil on the chain and keep going?

Any warnings about using a gas chain saw while standing in the stream?

The log itself is not in the stream, but although I think I can avoid
it, it might be after the first or second cut.


I have an electric chain saw that would probably do this, but no way
am I going in the stream with that thing, no matter how double
insulated it is.


Since you will be using a rental saw, why are you so worried if you dull the
chain? They'll quick-sharpen it back up when you return it.

As to size, any chain saw with a 10" blade probably says Mattel on the side-
so go with a big one that has an engine to match.

From the overall tone of your post, are you sure you have the skill to
tackle this project? If you got to the local Mickey D's around 11:15 AM and
asked the first Mexican landscape crew that pulled in if they want to make a
fast $50, they'd do it for you in a heartbeat-- especially if you sprung for
a couple of Big Macs and fries...