My town is making its residents cut down about half our trees which are infested. How do I cut down 27 trees?

Question

I am an older single parent with two kids, not much income and about 50 trees half of which are infested. The town spray painted 27 of my trees to indicate that I must remove them.

They are lodgepole pine so they have no reachable branches. They are maybe three stories high with some green needled branches at the very top. I can't afford to pay for a tree service. I have never used a chainsaw but I am handy with regular saws. I can maybe afford $500 which could cover the cost to remove the trees near the house and to pay to rent a mulcher and chainsaw. My thinking is once the trees are down, it will be easy, but I'm a bit afraid of cutting them down. I'm not very strong, but I could maybe lift weights all winter and do the job in the spring.

The other problem is that I rent out my house and live two hours away, so it isn't like I can chop down a tree a day. I have no idea how long it takes a novice to chop 27 trees and how I can protect myself from injury. Help!!!

Answer 1

You should talk to someone in the town offices about your problem. There must be other people who also can't afford to hire someone. There must be some plan to take care of those trees. They can't expect you to do that by yourself.

Answer 2

its not the actual cutting of the trees that is hard. it is more the piling of brush and wood. the bad news is that it is a misconception that cutting down trees is something that every one can do. if u are scared that may be a sign u shouldn't do it. it will take some time to finish the job so renting a saw for a weekend is not a option. instead of renting a chipper why not pile all the brush and burn it with the first snow(rain) good job for kids and tenants.
there is a lot to think of before starting to cut. are the trees near power lines, road or buildings. which way are the trees leaning (rarely do they grow straight), which side of the trees have more branches, and wind direction. if the trees are dead be very careful sometimes they break off at the top and come straight down. good news is that the trees are short ( i assume that they are about 6 to 8 inches thick?) so u should be able to handle it with some help (many hands = light work) the first thing u should all ways do is look up. then start your first cut just part way into the tree (the centre of 1st cut should be the direction u want the tree to go) now start 2nd cut about 2 inches above 1st cut and angle down towards where u stopped the 1st cut. this will make a side ways v notch. now make sure u have someone behind the tree with a long pole to push(a good job for kids if they are old enough) and start your 3 rd cut at the back, this cut should end about a inch above 1st cut. NOW THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART DON'T CUT THROUGH THE TREE leave about a inch or so of wood between v notch and 3 rd cut. (u make a hinge) push the tree over, once it starts to go u can control which way the tree falls, by cutting one side more than the other (tree will pull to the side with more wood attached) finish the cut.
there now do that 26 more times and u got it made. just be very care full, don't use the tip of the saw 2 cut, and make sure the chain brake works, where a helmet.
hope this isn't too confusing and helps, I'm good at doing this but not too good at explaining it

Answer 3

1. Talk to someone in the Mayor's office to see what the options are: if the city can cut and remove trees for low income property owners cheaper, do they have a list of tree surgeons, what are other low income residents doing? Would disease preclude use of the logs as firewood? Is there a market for the logs.

2. Contact a tree service and get some estimates for cutting and removal.

3. Talk to accountant and take a loan against that property, deduct as expense against rental income.

Answer 4

G'day mate, I think you will find the best answer from some of the good Yahoo folk above me. I just wanted to say this, don't attempt to cut the trees down yourself if you feel at all uncomfortable with the job. Under no circumstances should you be initiating yourself to a chainsaw by felling trees, far to dangerous. Chainsaws are dangerous to the inexperienced user and so is falling trees of any size. Nuff said.

Answer 5

Can these trees be used for firewood? If so, put an ad in the paper offering free firewood.

If this doesn't work, Rent a chain saw. IF you can hold 10 pounds on your hand and squeeze a trigger, you can use a chain saw. It will be slow and tedious work. If you can hire day laborers, they might make things go easier. You can also offer a rent break to your renters if they are willing to remove the trees themselves.

Good luck.

Answer 6

I would call two groups, 1.Your State Atty. Generals office
I do not believe any town can force
that upon you.
2. Call your home owner insurance
company for information about
coverage.

If these groups don,t have an answer, but I think they should, before you let just anyone on your property, Add an Insurance rider to cover numb skulls with chain saws hunting fire wood!
Seriously, add insurance BEFORE you invite strangers on to you land or they just might end up owning your land!

Answer 7

The question is a good one, I just want to add that whoever you have take down the trees, make sure you are covered by your insurance or if it is a tree service , make sure they are covered. Lodge pole pines are very tall and a lot can happen. Be safe.

Answer 8

Craigslist.org may be a good idea - perhaps someone will want to cut them for firewood. Also talk to the Town office and let them know - if they want them down, they should be assisting in the process. If you just do not do it - I bet they come in and do it for you - perhaps fining you, but it may be cheaper than paying to have them removed. Ask them.

Answer 9

is it your fault they are infested? if not then thats just a pretty sucky town no offense but that is just messed up go to city hall and complain, or rent/borrow a chainsaw and a ladder and cut them down and sell it for firewood so you don't have to pay as much, or ask the people who actually live their to do it or raise their rents or something.

Answer 10

i could attempt knocking in a well mannered way first. If he does not respond, then bust his door down and punch him in the face. I mean for reals, those are M&M's we are conversing approximately right here. a uncommon commodity. Too undesirable they do no longer sell them in shops. The violent gangs that earnings from the black merchandising and marketing of M&M's might desire to be stopped. merely say NO to candy coated bits of chocolate that soften on your mouth no longer on your hand!