Beetle killed pine

[joesawer]

The only tree service around here with a bucket are the topping brothers.
Thats right toppers. After all the ugly conversations with them I wouldn't even consider calling them. As far as falling it as a whole, I am leaning that way more and more. My biggest concern is for my neighbors brand new sprinkler system. I know where the lines are and I would drop it on several of them. And they dont burry them much down here. But I would rather fix a sprinkler line or 2 than ride a pine stub to the ground.
I decided today to test climb it. After about 10 feet my spikes kept getting quite stuck. I had to wiggle them to get them out. I have had this happen before in a tree but not this bad. Any idea what that means?

That means it is soft.
Put a rope in it and fell it from the ground. This is coming from some one who climbs the dead ones everyone else passes on.
That tree is too young to have a substantial heart wood core, that is decay resistant.
The whole sprinkler system is not worth the the slightest injury, much less my life.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

As far as falling it as a whole, I am leaning that way more and more. My biggest concern is for my neighbors brand new sprinkler system. I know where the lines are and I would drop it on several of them.

2 sheets of 3/4 plywood over each head is very good insurance. I've seen guys crib around them with 2x4's under the plywood too.

 

[Dadatwins]

Plywood works well, and the most expensive sprinkler head I ever had to fix was $15.00, you are worth more than that. You can get creative with the rigging and get a few lines in the remaining live pines to stabilize it and then cut it at the bottom and ease it down a little at a time. Have seen a few threads about transverse rope setups, that may be an idea. If your spikes are sticking at 10' it is not climbable in my opinion, once they start losing bark it is time to get creative.

 

[Jlarnard]

The only problem with rigging to the other trees is my screen porch. I really need that thing to go right where the 2 smaller ones are. Now all I have to do is wait for my snowbird neighbor to come home so I can get the ok. I have decided not to top it. Thank you all for helping me not to feel like a chicken.