Need some Tree trimming advice

[Tough Luck]

Here in Maine we take care of most everything ourselves, I would put a latter on the other side of that tree and cut that limb with my Stihl 200T one handed top handle saw, and that would be the end of that..

Those 200T top handles are chainsaw gold! I sure would like to have one.

 

[LD48750]

Ladder & scaffolding are pretty much ruled out by no level ground near this tree.
Pole saw is out because 10" bar isn't enough to cut where I need to & most polls are too short on gas saws. No electric within 200' of tree.
Buying a saw & generator is too much to get past the warden.

I DID order a rope saw, if it works I have a BUNCH of other limbs that need culling and I will be singing the praises of TBN for years to come for the idea.

If all else fails, I can always wait for it to fall on it's own & just do the clean up when needed.
I do have a way around it if it blocks the drive.

 

[atsah]

Those 200T top handles are chainsaw gold! I sure would like to have one.

They sure are.. I wouldn't sell mine for two grand..

 

[Coyote machine]

They sure are.. I wouldn't sell mine for two grand..

Yep, I bought a 192T first, used, then my 200T, both from a pawn shop. I suspect they both fell off the truck of some pro who had saws missing when he counted his equipment.
The 200T is the best saw out there for pros who do a lot of work in trees. Homeowner use, not designed for that world. Way too dangerous. Top handle saws are made for pro use only. Buyers beware.

 

[atsah]

Top handle saws with power like the 200T shouldn't be used by a novice. Most every time I use it, I use it with one hand with a NON safety chain, you have to hold on tight and pay attention to what the wood is doing and react accordingly or it will be a matter of time before something bad happens.. I have been cutting wood since I was 12 years old, in tree work, logging etc and know what I'm doing.

Holding yourself on a tree and cutting with a top handle saw takes some skill.. Years of experience is key..

 

[ning]

I DID order a rope saw, if it works I have a BUNCH of other limbs that need culling and I will be singing the praises of TBN for years to come for the idea.

Get a friend so one of you can be 15' back from the limb on one side, the other way over on the other side, and work up a rhythm. The rope saw can be used looped completely over the limb so you've got both rope ends, but it's more likely to get bound up in that manner.

 

[4570Man]

Do the commercial rope saws cut both directions. I built one from a new Stihl chainsaw chain I bought at a yard sale for $1. It worked and compared to other hand powered methods pretty good. If it was a longer chain and cut both ways it would be a lot better.

 

[AchingBack]

Ladder & scaffolding are pretty much ruled out by no level ground near this tree.
Pole saw is out because 10" bar isn't enough to cut where I need to & most polls are too short on gas saws. No electric within 200' of tree.
Buying a saw & generator is too much to get past the warden.

I DID order a rope saw, if it works I have a BUNCH of other limbs that need culling and I will be singing the praises of TBN for years to come for the idea.

If all else fails, I can always wait for it to fall on it's own & just do the clean up when needed.
I do have a way around it if it blocks the drive.

I vote for waiting. The limb is still strong, as it is firmly attached at the trunk, and not broken at the top of the split. If it doesn't appear rotten, which isn't likely, until it looks dead, as far as I can see, leave it alone.

By the way, what is the vine in the tree?

 

[Deere Dude]

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I DID order a rope saw, if it works I have a BUNCH of other limbs that need culling and I will be singing the praises of TBN for years to come for the idea.
.

I really think the limb will be a real test for the rope saw being that it is oak. Be very careful when it swings down and bounces back at you. If it was me I would get a 5/16" minimum cable over the branch and jerk it down with the truck. I would bet most would come flying off the tree, and then maybe rope saw what is left. Either way I would put a cable on it to keep it going in one direction only.

I take may chances with things but I would never cut it while on a ladder or scaffolding or even hanging on the tree. That would be a couple thousand pounds flying at you and being 70 you probably wouldn't outrun the beast.

 

[ning]

Do the commercial rope saws cut both directions

Yes, the cutting links alternate.

I really think the limb will be a real test for the rope saw being that it is oak. Be very careful when it swings down and bounces back at you.

It'll definitely take some time. You definitely don't want to be under that branch while cutting - my suggestion is to be far back on one side, and have a helper with the other end of the rope on the other side. You could also go with a pulley setup to simulate having someone on the other side.