Remove tree and leave logs for firewood

[capetrees]

What does "remove tree" mean?

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

Gotta be a bit more specific next time on "logs for firewood" Most of my customers don't have enough saw or splitter to handle all of the logs thus, they call a tree company. When my customers want the firewood, I ask up to what size? Usually, they want logs 4" and up to 12" diameter, easily split and the weights not too much to handle. Everytthing else is chipped or hauled away and included in the remove tree price.

 

[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"?

To clarify, the original price was $5900 to remove the tree and haul away everything, plus $500 more to grind the stump. Then I asked if I would save anything if they left some wood behind that I can use for firewood. That's when they gave me option 2 and 3.

 

[ATH]

When I see "firewood" and "brush" separated, I think "brush" is anything less than about 8" in diameter. Everything above that is firewood. A big log like that is, by far, the most expensive/difficult piece to remove. If you really want it gone, them willing to come back out for $500 seems pretty reasonable.

If you wanna see if you can get it sawn up instead of firewood, that may cost you or you may find somebody who wants to pay for it. A big saw mill doesn't want to deal with one log. A small saw mill may have trouble moving one that big. Smaller sawmill might want to buy it...or might have you contract with them to saw it up (it will cost more than $500...but you'll have the lumber).

To go that route, couple of thoughts:
1) Ask the removal company if they have any contacts they know might want it

2) Contact ODNR Service Forester to see if they have a list of small/portable mill operators who would be willing to deal with one log.
https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-le...dnr/forestry/contact-us/aab-service-foresters

3) Contact Ohio Forestry Association to see if they have any members they know of who would want it...generally their members are larger mills, but worth a phone call https://www.ohioforest.org/page/contact

 

[Del_]

When I see "firewood" and "brush" separated, I think "brush" is anything less than about 8" in diameter. Everything above that is firewood. A big log like that is, by far, the most expensive/difficult piece to remove. If you really want it gone, them willing to come back out for $500 seems pretty reasonable.

If you wanna see if you can get it sawn up instead of firewood, that may cost you or you may find somebody who wants to pay for it. A big saw mill doesn't want to deal with one log. A small saw mill may have trouble moving one that big. Smaller sawmill might want to buy it...or might have you contract with them to saw it up (it will cost more than $500...but you'll have the lumber).

To go that route, couple of thoughts:
1) Ask the removal company if they have any contacts they know might want it

2) Contact ODNR Service Forester to see if they have a list of small/portable mill operators who would be willing to deal with one log.
https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-le...dnr/forestry/contact-us/aab-service-foresters

3) Contact Ohio Forestry Association to see if they have any members they know of who would want it...generally their members are larger mills, but worth a phone call https://www.ohioforest.org/page/contact

Great advice!

If he wants it gone there may be local people who would take it for free if the O.P. would allow them to cut and split it on his property. It may take a week or maybe even a month but if he connects with a good honest person it's a very doable thing.


I'm a retired Certified Arborist and here's a large twin trunk hickory that I did by myself. It was on my own property so I was in no hurry and I do have a little more gear than the average firewood monger. I got 3.5 cords of hickory wood I cut to 15 inches long and split small for sale as smoking wood done over a week or so time frame as I was in no hurry taking days off at will. Working for a few hours at a time, etc.

I did a very similar project at a nearby neighbors house for pecan smoking wood a few years ago.

I'd be interested in the log this thread is about if I was within a mile or two distance. I'm in NE Georgia.

Chainsaws used: MS460, MS362, MS241C.

 

[Mad Professor]

When I was young and stronger I made a few trees that size into firewood. Had a selection of metal wedges(5 or 6), small and large sledgehammers (8 anf 15 lb), and a couple 8 lb mauls. Luckily the trunks were straight without twist or knots. I think we got > 4 cords from each tree.

 

[capetrees]

To clarify, the original price was $5900 to remove the tree and haul away everything, plus $500 more to grind the stump. Then I asked if I would save anything if they left some wood behind that I can use for firewood. That's when they gave me option 2 and 3.

So then, after talking to the homeowner about what size logs to leave, my price was to be $5200

 

[Headrush]

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

Tractor with hydraulic lift is what i use

 

[Oletrapper]

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"?

 

[dboyd351]

Lots of good advice here

Several options:
Call the tree company back and ask for a price to cut it into magageable rounds
Buy a saw like the Echo 590 or 620 and do it yourself
Run an ad on CL or Facebook advertising free wood

The advice on being very clear on what exactly is included in the price is invaluable
Would also be a good idea to be there in person when they did the work if possible.

 

[OM617YOTA]

I'm sure if you post an ad for free firewood, it'll be gone shortly.

I'd let certain neighbors or friends take the wood, but in our overly litigious society I wouldn't let random strangers use saws and move heavy stuff on my property. Lot can happen that could make you wish you'd paid the $500 for the tree company to make it not your problem.

 

[irhunter]

Had a selection of metal wedges(5 or 6), small and large sledgehammers (8 anf 15 lb), and a couple 8 lb mauls. Luckily the trunks were straight without twist or knots.

^^^^^^^+1

The power of steel splitting wedges ... that 4' round won't be 4' for long.

 

[Mad Professor]

I'm sure if you post an ad for free firewood, it'll be gone shortly.

I'd let certain neighbors or friends take the wood, but in our overly litigious society I wouldn't let random strangers use saws and move heavy stuff on my property. Lot can happen that could make you wish you'd paid the $500 for the tree company to make it not your problem.

Something like a lawyer written release of any and all liability.

 

[Mad Professor]

^^^^^^^+1

The power of steel splitting wedges ... that 4' round won't be 4' for long.

I still have wedges that were my Father's and Grandfather's. Had to grind the "mushroom" off the top of a few of those. Good to have some smaller/thinner ones to get the round started. And plenty of extra ones for when the wedge gets stuck or round don't want to split with a well buried wedge.

Good 8-LB steel mauls can also be used just like a wedge.

 

[dboyd351]

Could also rent a splitter for after you noodle them into manageable chunks

 

[lone wolf]

Could also rent a splitter for after you noodle them into manageable chunks

Then he will see why it cost what it does, huh!

 

[lone wolf]

You need a splitter with a hydraulic log lift.

 

[dboyd351]

All that "free" firewood isn't so free, is it?

 

[JimR]

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"?

No. It says leave the logs for firewood. The trunk is considered a log. You should have specified it in writing to remove the trunk. Post it for free on FB Marketplace or Craigslist. Somebody will pick it up. Or buy a chainsaw with a 24" bar and cut that tree up.

 

[JimR]

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

You cut those 16" rounds into managaeble pie pieces for splitting.

 

[JimR]

So then, after talking to the homeowner about what size logs to leave, my price was to be $5200

That seems pricey for cutting down tree and cleaning up the brush. Then again it all depends on if a crane was needed and what kind of brush size that they had to clean up.