How badly is it hung up in the other tree?
Very badly. The live oak branch is in sort of a U-shape, parallel to the ground, and it is resting in the U. Maybe the top 20 feet of it are above the U.
Upon further inspection, things are even worse that I have said. If this thing falls the wrong way, there is a good chance it will hit my half-full 500 gallon propane tank. I have no idea how strong the tank is, but probably not strong enough.
I gave up on using the thumb on the backhoe.
What I was really thinking about is backing the hoe up to the tree and grounding the bucket on the far side of the tree. The boom and the dipperstick would form sort of an A, with the tree in between the sides of it.
I don't think I would even have to put any pressure on the tree trunk to severely limit the range of places it could bounce to. Then I would dismount and cut the tree with a chainsaw. The more I think about this, the less I like it though. There is a chance of ruining a perfectly good backhoe.
I am either going to use the two-chain method or hire a professional.
I have to agree with SLOBuds, if I hire it out, I would want to be part of the process, at least watching & learning from a safe distance.
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One last hare-brained idea.
1. Chain it high up so it can't hit the propane tank.
2. Build a wire basket around the break.
3. Clear tinder for 10-15 feet in all directions.
4. Fill basket with charcoal briquets and light.
5. Stand back and watch with hose at the ready. I have hose outlet with about 80 psi maybe 60 feet from the tree. My well is rated for 10 gpm at that pressure. 100' of true 3/4" hose and a good nozzle is a lot less costly than a professional.
The real downside is that this would probably fling hot briquets all over the woods. How about attaching a brush burner head to the stump with the flame aimed at the break, and I stand back with 20' of propane hose and a 5-gallon tank. And the water hose. Shut off the flame when I see the break start to go.