On Sat, 08 Jun 2013 18:49:26 -0400, micky
wrote:

Is this job too big for a gas tree pruner?

A tree about 10 feet outside my yard was at a 45^ angle over my yard
for the last 6 months, and yesterday some time, it went down a bit
lower, not it's maybe a 30^ angle with the ground. The tree is 35 to
40 feet tall, if it were upright, and now its trunk and branches 12 to
18 feet above the ground. The tree branches are resting on some 20'
high bushes in my yard, and I think it's still held up by the roots
too.

What is a good way to cut it up, while it is still up there?*** That
is, cut off ends, working back to my fence (and then it can be cut off
at the base.)

Branches are 2 - 4" thick and the trunk where I want to cut it is 3 -
7" thick.

I have a couple small and medium-small electric chain saws, but no way
to get them up that high**.

They rent gas driven tree pruners, with telescoping poles, which I
think will reach high enough if I'm 5 feet up a 6 foot ladder. Is
this job too big for them. The engine is at the bottom and the chain
is at the top. Maybe it will stall or won't cut for some reason?

Are there electric tree pruners that might be lighter, that maybe I
can find for rent if I look long enough?

**Or could I tie one of my small electric chain saws to my own
telescoping pole

Gas or electric, I guess the weight of the bar and blade (and electric
motor) is what helps the saw to cut.


***I can't cut it off at the base in order to lower it, because then
it will fall on my new cherry tree, whose cherries are just turning
red, and on my fence.

Thanks.

Is it a Box Elder? They have very shallow rots and are notorious for
just tipping over. I have too many of them on my farm. Do you have
access to a tractor? Can you drive on that other land? Toss a LONG
chain around it about 8 ft from the ground, hook to tractor, and pull it
onto that land. But be sure the chain is long enough or it will fall on
you. That's what I'd do, but I own a farm tractor. Then I'd just cut it
up.

You could also connect a long chain to a tractor, pull it toward the
other land, and make the chain tight. Then saw it from your side of the
land about 8 feet from the ground. When it's cut most of the way thru,
give a good pull with the tractor. A pickup truck would work too on a
smallish tree like that. But once again, make sure the chain is long,
or you'll drop the tree on yout truck.

One other option is to use a long chain and a come-along. Connect the
come along to the base of a larger tree and start ratcheting it toward
the neighbors land as someone cuts the tree. I've done all of these
things, they all work, but always be very careful. Trees can be
unpredictable when they snap off. Once I underestimated the height of a
tree and the chain was too short. I got the tips of the branches on my
head. Luckily I was not hurt, but it didn't feel too good.

I've seen those gas operated long pole chainsaws. I've considered
getting one of them for trimming. They look handy. But I'd prefer an
electric one. Any of those 2 cycle small gas engines tend to need too
much repair if they are not used often. The gas gums them up, even if
it's drained, there is still a little in the carburetor and lines. I
dont even own a regular gas chainsaw anymore. My electric one is great,
and if I'm too far from an outlet, I have a generator. The generator is
4 cycle and is used fairly often. Never had any problems with that.

Another thing, those pole type saws are not something you can just lay
down while it's running. So you will have to restart it for every
branch you cut. That would **** me off in no time. An electric one
seems so much handier. Just hit the switch. But I have not seen
electric models sold.