Tackling a huge pine tree...any advice

I will be tackling a huge pine tree on my mothers property that is taking over the side of her property. Its about one and a half stories high.. I was going to start from the bottom cutting off branches and working my way up then chopping the trunk down and then getting the rest of the branches.

I hear chainsawing pine trees is tough because of the sap content...Any pointers or advice. I will just be throwing all the branches into the woods.

 

EWP cuts pretty easy from my experience.
I tend to de-limb and then let it all sit for several months to dry up .

If you have to handle the branches don't touch the fresh bleeding cut ends.
Same with rounds.
I've never ever gotten sap all over my saw bar or even the saw unless I got it on my gloves from whence it transferred.

 

I always use worn-out gloves, and when I'm done get rid of them. The Second Great trick for getting Pine pitch off of you is Boraxo.

 

Yeah, this.
Any oil from the kitchen seems to work also.
I made the mistake of telling the crew taking down trees along the power line that I'd do the limbing and would take care of all that. OMG. I swear, the limbs created a blanket on the ground about 3' deep ( I may be exaggerating a bit, but it helps make the point).......it was a big EWP (got a lot of firewood from that tree). The front of the saw still hasn't fully recovered, and there may be a bit of sap still on the handles.

 

Well, since Eric VW isn't here yet, I'll handle the smart-aleck duties.

If you're determined to tackle that pine, don't lead with your head, that's a surefire way to get either a concussion or neck injury.

 

He's always here.........somewhere....lurking......waiting.......

 

Hahahahahaha ok, oil and miracle whip got it lol

 

let someone else tackle it........

 

Well, that's a recipe for something...............

 

Why would I pay someone $800 to take it down, when I can do it for free lol

 

Last one I cut, I just made one cut and dragged the whole tree into the woods with my quad...Done.

 

One and a half stories is about 15 feet.
As far as pine trees goes that's a sapling yet.
A slightly overgrown Christmas tree.
If it is still alive and green you could disassemble that with a good 18 inch or bigger pruning saw in no time.
Young Pine is wicked easy to cut with a pruning saw.

 

Well, we don't know the layout of your mother's property.
How close is it to her house, or neighbors property?
Are power lines or other utilities near the tree?

As you say that it's a huge pine, I'm going under the assumption that it is more than 1 1/2 stories (15ft).

What is the diameter of the tree at chest/breast height? (DBH)
Diam=circumference/3.14

Barring any obstacles and/or potential property damage it is reasonable to tackle it yourself.

Otherwise, a good arborist has insurance in case anything goes wrong.

Also examine the tree for any potential metal, nails, screws, and such.

Overall, be safe first and foremost.

 

Heh, that was either a small pine, or you have a monster quad.

 

Actually it not bad because the branches are like springs holding the trunck up off the ground.
I use low range and give it a big jerk to get it moving. Then keep it moving till it's where i want it.
The tree I moved was about a 11-12" and 30' tall.

Polaris 550xp

 

Check out my log arch videos also.

 

I have read that in the past.
A very nice piece of equipment to have around.

 

Dam....that quad idea is a GREAT IDEAAAA. My older sister planted a tiny xmas tree on our yard 30 years ago and its now idk its bigger then my 2 story house, def bigger then 15 feet id say honestly probably uhhhhh 30 ft....Its right next to my house, no power lines, nothing in the way it could ruin...

Im thinking maybe drag it to the edge of the creek in my yard with my truck or a quad and then just throw all the branches on the other side of the creek where I throw all the brush from my yard.

I also have learned that when I am done with stumps and dont have money to get them removed, I chop them down to the base as much as possible, then I drill a bunch of holes in the top and pour bleach in the holes. has worked for years and they eventually die and deteriorate.