The road commission will be taking down a 40 inch diameter white oak in front of my property in the next week or so. Of course I want the wood, but processing the main trunk will be quite the challenge for my Stihl 029 with 18 inch bar. I'm hoping to be there when they bring down the tree and want to see if I can somehow convince them to cut the trunk in to 16 inch rounds that I could then noodle into workable pieces. Any suggestion as to what is a reasonable enticement for the crew to cut up the main trunk for me? Really don't want to get a bigger saw or longer bar. Road commission will come by a couple weeks later and pick up any wood I have not processed unless I sign a "disposal waiver". Don't want to sign this waiver in the event I simply can't reasonably process such a large trunk with my saw. Suggestions?
Buy a good used big saw. Cut tree, sell saw. Come out nearly even. I will say this: if someone local needed a big trunk cut, I'd come over and do it for fun. Cleaning up and rolling the big chunks by myself is the part I don't enjoy.
My neighbor had a real monster red maple taken down this year. He didn't want the wood (another guy paid him for it) so I don't think he gave them any specific instructions. They weren't all 16" lengths, but it was manageable sized pieces. I doubt they're not going to want to measure it out for you unless you can give them an easy way to do so. But who knows - maybe if you can save them some time cutting up the tops, they'd be willing to spend a little extra time on the trunk. Can't hurt to ask and have a 6-12 pack of beer ready for a tip.
And if they don't cut it up for you, well that might be just the thing - "honey, so you know that saw I was looking at?"
cut what you can with your saw and than rent a larger saw https://www.hertzequip.com/herc/rental-equipment-all-equipment/general-equipment+chain-saws
"I get by with a little help from my friends." The Beatles, of course. Like dgeesaman says, do you know anyone willing to help out? Even if you had to split the wood, the helping hands would be worth it.
Not even a 20" bar HarvestMan ? Would be useful for other trees in your future, bud..... You could borrow my 576xp in my sig-24 & 28" bars, full chisel......
That is true, I have a 40 foot white oak that the top broke off a couple years ago that I was going to try tackling this fall ... it must be 30 inches at least. Hmmm ... most of you guys are like little devils dancing on my shoulder
Buy RJames' MS460 from the classifieds For Sale - ported MS460 | Firewood Hoarders Club EXACTLY the saw you want for that job. He's even in "Michigan" which of course means he's anywhere from a 15 minute drive to 10 hours drive.(?) Then sell the saw back again. You'll break even and maybe make a few bucks.
That is an awesome offer, but I'm going to see if the crew they send out will be willing to do it for some small price.
Are you from Galien Michigan? If so, I am just North of New Carlisle In. I would give you a hand if you need it. I have the 066 wearing a 28" bar right now. You would be about 8 miles as the crow fly's from me. If our schedule can mesh it won't be an issue.
Look at the map you have in your profile pic. Go South and slightly West. See Hudson Lake? That's me.
