Remove tree and leave logs for firewood

[tgr]

What does "remove tree" mean?

I have an oak tree that's about 4 feet in diameter and about 90-100 feet tall. The tree was damaged due to heavy winds when tornados came through the area and the tree wasn't safe anymore.

I got some estimates and I mentioned that I wanted to keep some firewood so I got three options:

1. Remove tree and haul away logs and brush
2. Remove tree, haul away brush, leave logs for firewood, haul away brush (save $700)
3. Remove tree, leave all logs and brush (save $1200)

I went with option #2. It specifically said "for firewood". At the time, I asked about anything too big for firewood, like the trunk, and they said they would haul it away.

Here's my issue... When they came out to do the work they were planning on leaving the trunk. I can't use that for firewood! I don't have a chainsaw big enough to even cut through it, and even if I could, it would still be too large to split or even move around! So now they're charging me an additional $500 to haul away the trunk.

QUESTION: So my question is, would you expect hauling away the trunk would be included in "remove tree and leave logs for firewood"?

 

[TNTreeHugger]

What does "remove tree" mean?

I have an oak tree that's about 4 feet in diameter and about 90-100 feet tall. The tree was damaged due to heavy winds when tornados came through the area and the tree wasn't safe anymore.

I got some estimates and I mentioned that I wanted to keep some firewood so I got three options:

1. Remove tree and haul away logs and brush
2. Remove tree, haul away brush, leave logs for firewood, haul away brush (save $700)
3. Remove tree, leave all logs and brush (save $1200)

I went with option #2. It specifically said "for firewood". At the time, I asked about anything too big for firewood, like the trunk, and they said they would haul it away.

Here's my issue... When they came out to do the work they were planning on leaving the trunk. I can't use that for firewood! I don't have a chainsaw big enough to even cut through it, and even if I could, it would still be too large to split or even move around! So now they're charging me an additional $500 to haul away the trunk.

QUESTION: So my question is, would you expect hauling away the trunk would be included in "remove tree and leave logs for firewood"?

On second thought, I can see where "leave logs for firewood" could include the trunk.
"Remove tree" could mean just cutting it to the ground, especially since those words were used in all three options.
Technically, imo, "remove tree" would mean taking it down and removing all of it from my property.
Stump grinding would be additional.
Too bad it wasn't made clear before they did the work.

 

[Marley5]

Wow wish I lived close by, I'd come get that Oak log.....no charge.
You could buy one of those cheap off brand chainsaws with 30" bar and cut it up and noodle it for more firewood.

 

[Del_]

QUESTION: So my question is, would you expect hauling away the trunk would be included in "remove tree and leave logs for firewood"?

No.

Leave logs says it all.

 

[OM617YOTA]

QUESTION: So my question is, would you expect hauling away the trunk would be included in "remove tree and leave logs for firewood"?

No, the trunk is a log to be left as firewood. Most people prize that as the largest portion of the firewood.

I took apart two 5ft diameter cottonwoods with an 034S and 18" bar. Took some time but it can be done. See what size rental saws are available in your area, or ask the tree company what they'd charge to cut the trunk into manageable pieces. You can halve or quarter the rounds to make them easier to handle.

For $500 you could get a CS590, roughly equal to my 034S, and when done you'd still have a good saw. Make sure you know how to tune and maintain a saw, you'll be giving it a workout, but it can certainly be done.

 

[lone wolf]

What does "remove tree" mean?

I have an oak tree that's about 4 feet in diameter and about 90-100 feet tall. The tree was damaged due to heavy winds when tornados came through the area and the tree wasn't safe anymore.

I got some estimates and I mentioned that I wanted to keep some firewood so I got three options:

1. Remove tree and haul away logs and brush
2. Remove tree, haul away brush, leave logs for firewood, haul away brush (save $700)
3. Remove tree, leave all logs and brush (save $1200)

I went with option #2. It specifically said "for firewood". At the time, I asked about anything too big for firewood, like the trunk, and they said they would haul it away.

Here's my issue... When they came out to do the work they were planning on leaving the trunk. I can't use that for firewood! I don't have a chainsaw big enough to even cut through it, and even if I could, it would still be too large to split or even move around! So now they're charging me an additional $500 to haul away the trunk.

QUESTION: So my question is, would you expect hauling away the trunk would be included in "remove tree and leave logs for firewood"?

Leaving the wood means the trunk, you should have told them that . You can't have it both ways. Sounds fair to remove that big piece.

 

[tgr]

One option said "leave all logs" and one said "leave logs for firewood". I swear we discussed this but I didn't get it in writing and to be fair it took 5 months for them to show up, so either of us could mis-remember

 

[tgr]

No, the trunk is a log to be left as firewood. Most people prize that as the largest portion of the firewood.

I took apart two 5ft diameter cottonwoods with an 034S and 18" bar. Took some time but it can be done. See what size rental saws are available in your area, or ask the tree company what they'd charge to cut the trunk into manageable pieces. You can halve or quarter the rounds to make them easier to handle.

For $500 you could get a CS590, roughly equal to my 034S, and when done you'd still have a good saw. Make sure you know how to tune and maintain a saw, you'll be giving it a workout, but it can certainly be done.

How do you even deal with that kind of weight? Oak density is about 45lb/ft3, so a 16" length of that would be 1.3*2²*π*45 that's over 750lbs for 16" length of the trunk! No idea how I'd move it or split it

 

[buzz sawyer]

How do you even deal with that kind of weight? Oak density is about 45lb/ft3, so a 16" length of that would be 1.3*2²*π*45 that's over 750lbs for 16" length of the trunk! No idea how I'd move it or split it

As already said, get a midsize saw and cut it down to size. You can noodle/split a section of the trunk, then saw the smaller pieces off the main section and repeat up the trunk until you reach the end. How long is the trunk section?

Check this video:

 

[OM617YOTA]

How do you even deal with that kind of weight? Oak density is about 45lb/ft3, so a 16" length of that would be 1.3*2²*π*45 that's over 750lbs for 16" length of the trunk! No idea how I'd move it or split it

Cut the rounds lengthwise into whatever size you can handle. A peavy, a large tire hand truck, and a splitter that could be tipped up to split on the ground were hugely helpful.

 

[Chainsaw Pete]

Where in Cleveland are you located? I'm in an east side suburb.

I've found that every tradesman has his own language - I know you think you know what he means but what he means is not what you think. Regardless of our opinions here, your options are either to pay him to haul the big trunk away, or cut it up yourself.

You might call some of theother tree services - heck, hit the phone book (online version) and burn up the telephone lines. That hunk of wood has value, and you should be able to find someone who will either pay you for it (if it is in one length and undamaged) or remove it for a lot less. Tree services routinely sell firewood or the logs to guys who mill it for lumber.

 

[Chainsaw Pete]

Wow wish I lived close by, I'd come get that Oak log.....no charge.
You could buy one of those cheap off brand chainsaws with 30" bar and cut it up and noodle it for more firewood.

Didn't the pioneers split those huge old growth trees by hand? Not too many trailerable gasoline powered log splitters back then.

 

[Del_]

How do you even deal with that kind of weight? Oak density is about 45lb/ft3, so a 16" length of that would be 1.3*2²*π*45 that's over 750lbs for 16" length of the trunk! No idea how I'd move it or split it

2. Remove tree, haul away brush, leave logs for firewood, haul away brush (save $700)


I went with option #2.

///////////////////////////////////////////////

Were you expecting the main trunk to be cut up and split and left for firewood?

That's what it's sounding like.

 

[Marley5]

Didn't the pioneers split those huge old growth trees by hand? Not too many trailerable gasoline powered log splitters back then.

Ha Ha they did.
Bet they had sledge hammers and splitting wedges though.

 

[irhunter]

How do you even deal with that kind of weight?

You simply split it where you buck it. Easy-peasey.

 

[tomsteve]

How do you even deal with that kind of weight? Oak density is about 45lb/ft3, so a 16" length of that would be 1.3*2²*π*45 that's over 750lbs for 16" length of the trunk! No idea how I'd move it or split it

think outside the box.

 

[tgr]

Where in Cleveland are you located? I'm in an east side suburb.

I've found that every tradesman has his own language - I know you think you know what he means but what he means is not what you think. Regardless of our opinions here, your options are either to pay him to haul the big trunk away, or cut it up yourself.

You might call some of theother tree services - heck, hit the phone book (online version) and burn up the telephone lines. That hunk of wood has value, and you should be able to find someone who will either pay you for it (if it is in one length and undamaged) or remove it for a lot less. Tree services routinely sell firewood or the logs to guys who mill it for lumber.

I'm in Garfield Hts. The trunk is fairly straight and I'd guess it goes up 30-35 feet before the first limb. You'd think someone would want it

 

[tgr]

As already said, get a midsize saw and cut it down to size. You can noodle/split a section of the trunk, then saw the smaller pieces off the main section and repeat up the trunk until you reach the end. How long is the trunk section?

Check this video:

It's 4 feet in diameter (not circumference) at about 3 feet up where it gets round past the roots. Then goes to about 30-35 feet before the first limb. The guy cutting it down estimated 90-100 feet high total. I'm guessing the trunk goes up 70 feet.

 

[buzz sawyer]

It's 4 feet in diameter (not circumference) at about 3 feet up where it gets round past the roots. Then goes to about 30-35 feet before the first limb. The guy cutting it down estimated 90-100 feet high total. I'm guessing the trunk goes up 70 feet.

Dang, that's a lot wood! $500 to remove it seems like a deal - worth way more than that as firewood. Even though it's a "yard tree", I can't believe there wouldn't be some nice lumber. Do you know what kind of oak? Red, White, Black?

 

[SS396driver]

How do you even deal with that kind of weight? Oak density is about 45lb/ft3, so a 16" length of that would be 1.3*2²*π*45 that's over 750lbs for 16" length of the trunk! No idea how I'd move it or split it

Most people don’t have the equipment to handle it or move it .

I had to chain it and roll the trailer forward to get it out . Dump wouldn’t lift it never measured it but each piece was just shy of 6 foot as it just fit into the trailer that’s a 28 inch bar



If I were the OP I would have had the company cut the trunk into lengths and bought a saw to noodle it