Need some Tree trimming advice

[LD48750]

I have a limb of an Oak tree hanging over my driveway that has split.
At the base, it is about 10-12 Ft off the ground.
In the split it is 16" thick & seems to be about 6' in circumference near the trunk.



It is probably 30' out over the driveway.
What would be the best way to cut this without killing myself?

 

[JPRambo]

I would start at the end of the limb and take smaller branches removing some of the weight. Then I would rent a articulating tow-able bucket lift starting again on the far end cut it into many workable pieces. A lift around here is $250 a day. As I have found out it is cheaper than a visit to the ER.

 

[CMV]

I would climb it and sit right there and have at it with chainsaw. But I'm not good at that sort of stuff - just what I'd do.....

 

[Captain Dirty]

I have a limb of an Oak tree hanging over my driveway that has split.
<snip>
What would be the best way to cut this without killing myself?

Is it merely death that you seek to avoid? How about maiming and other mayhem, not to mention property damage?

First, cordon off the area where it might fall. This is prudence to avoid possible damage and liability.
Second, check your home owner's policy to see if it is a covered peril. The cost of your deductible may be less than an ER visit too.
Study the situation. When a limb falls the branches store energy as they are compressed against the ground, often causing the butt to rebound in an unexpected direction.
If, after all of this, you have any doubts in your own abilities, call in the (fully insured and licensed) professionals.

 

[CobyRupert]

Don't cut from a ladder. So many things can go wrong. Often the falling branch takes out the ladder on its way down.
Depending on how their cut, often horizontal branches don't just fall straight down, but hinge at the cut, then the top hits the ground first and the butt kicks into the ladder. .

I'd want to cut the limb next to the tree's vertical trunk after verifying that's it's not split there. If you cut where it's split, it may be unpredictable what falls, or how top half 1/2 falls, stays, spins, twists, bops, dangles, levers, etc...

If you cut the limb off all at once at the trunk: Put an undercut on the branch, but not so much saw gets jammed. Then do the top cut a few inches farther out on the branch so that the branch "snaps off" when top cut meets undercut rather than hinges.

 

[MMalabama]

I'm going to say that if you don't rent or have some type of aerial equipment, then don't bother. Looks like a fairly large limb, call a tree guy.

 

[4570Man]

At only 10 foot off the ground I’d cut it down one piece of firewood at a time from my tractor man lift. I wouldn’t cut the whole thing because even if it goes as planned it’ll likely damage the driveway. Then there’s a lot of room to go as not planned cutting a limb that size.

 

[Cord]

Check with the forestry service to see when you can cut oaks. You don't want to kill the tree to Oak Wilt.

 

[LD48750]

I would start at the end of the limb and take smaller branches removing some of the weight. Then I would rent a articulating tow-able bucket lift starting again on the far end cut it into many workable pieces. A lift around here is $250 a day. As I have found out it is cheaper than a visit to the ER.

Have to check on the reach of what manlifts are available, tree is 30' back off drive & extends 10 or 15' beyond. (drive is 12' at the point it crosses)

 

[LD48750]

Don't cut from a ladder. So many things can go wrong. Often the falling branch takes out the ladder on its way down.
Depending on how their cut, often horizontal branches don't just fall straight down, but hinge at the cut, then the top hits the ground first and the butt kicks into the ladder. .

I'd want to cut the limb next to the tree's vertical trunk after verifying that's it's not split there. If you cut where it's split, it may be unpredictable what falls, or how top half 1/2 falls, stays, spins, twists, bops, dangles, levers, etc...

If you cut the limb off all at once at the trunk: Put an undercut on the branch, but not so much saw gets jammed. Then do the top cut a few inches farther out on the branch so that the branch "snaps off" when top cut meets undercut rather than hinges.

That's why I'm asking here, doesn't seem to be too smart to just jump up on a ladder & cut it.
At 70+ I don't bounce as good as I used to.