tree down in my yard

[dahdahdahdancer.livejournal.com]

In last night's storm a tree came down in my yard (it's my tree, not my neighbor's, not the city's), and it did a slight bit of damage to a raised garden bed but no big deal. Since this is my first tree-downing, I'm looking for advice on the best and least expensive way to get rid of it. I talked to the city's tree guys, who say that because it's on private property, they can't help. I fear if I get the company that insures my property involved, they'll raise my rates.

Comments

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

rent a chainsaw and post "free firewood" to craigslist?

Or, you could just post that you have a tree in your yard and anyone with a chainsaw and means to remove it can have it. In my (admittedly rural) hometown, neighbors would do this for each other often.

[808.livejournal.com]

I doubt your rates would go up over something so minor. I've had lots of weather related repairs the last few years and my rates haven't gone up at all (using Commerce Insurance). But, the cost of removal of the tree would likely be less than your deductible anyway. We had to remove a standing tree lost to Dutch Elm disease and it only cost $500. An already fallen tree should be cheaper.

Try Boston Tree Preservation (www.bostontreepreservation.com). We've had good service by them over the years. But if the tree isn't that large, you can just buy a manual saw at a hardware store for 20 bucks and cut it up yourself. We did that once and was surprised at how easy and fast it was. It wasn't big, though - maybe 20-30 feet high.

[whaler.livejournal.com]

or even rent a chainsaw. My dad cut up a tree himself and it was pretty easy.

caution ...

[paradoox.livejournal.com]

If you've never used a chainsaw before, I'm not sure renting one is the best idea. Maybe if you could rent an electric one ...

How big is the diameter of the tree?

Re: caution ...

[smammy]

Hey, quit fear-mongering! dahdahdahdancer should totally learn how to use a chain saw!

[i-leonardo.livejournal.com]

what kind of tree ? how large ?

[dahdahdahdancer.livejournal.com]

it's a maple - the section that snapped off and came down is maybe a foot wide at its widest and the whole broken off part is maybe 30 feet long.

[delahk.livejournal.com]

I have it on good authority from someone who experienced the same situation in July of '08 (archived in davis_square here: http://community.livejournal.com/davis_square/1334442.html) that you can use Cambridge Landscape Company -->
http://www.cambridgelandscape.com/

[rivenwanderer.livejournal.com]

Hey, I'm looking for a section of tree trunk for use in metalworking--ideally a few feet, with flat cut surfaces--here's (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dmariehenderson/2288684343/) an example of someone using a tree stump in the same way as I'd like to. If you end up having the trunk cut into pieces with a chainsaw, could I have a section?

[dahdahdahdancer.livejournal.com]

I'll let you know. I think the diameter at its widest point is maybe a foot.

[rivenwanderer.livejournal.com]

OK-- that size would be a better tabletop one in that case, ideally just a few inches thick instead (easier to transport too!)

[dahdahdahdancer.livejournal.com]

Thanks for advice. Managing the cutting up myself (with the help of a burly friend with a chainsaw - me, not so burly) sounds like the way to go. I've heard that the city might haul away the debris if I drag it out to the street. That'd be awesome. Otherwise, I'll have to figure out how to get rid of it on my own. (Not sure it would make good firewood - 80% of it is willowy.)