Removing these darn trees DIY!

[TheJollyLogger]

Yes, that looks like an easy job. Certainly not worth the prices you were quoted - at least around here.

There are a number of great videos on Youtube on "how to fell a tree" so watch a bunch of those to get the idea of how it's done safely. Main thing is to make sure your notch 'aims' the direction of the fall, and take your time doing the notch just right. If it's not right, just keep sawing away until it is, then do the back cut. Make sure you don't cut all the way through the back cut, or the purpose of the notch and hinge will be over.

The more material you can get down from above, the better. Buy/borrow a pole saw and get those fronds off. You also want to make sure your trees don't roll into the pool after you drop them, but if you do, make sure you get it on video. That'll be a winner for sure!!

Looks like you will break your pool pipes in the process, but that's cheap and easy to replace, so go for it.

ALWAYS be aware of where the tip of your bar is, and if anything is close enough to touch it. Keep the work area clear of anything not needed. Don't let the saw chain touch anything but wood - no dirt, no rock, no metal, etc. Wood only.

Let us know how it goes, and post some pics!

Obviously hasn't spent much time dealing with palms.

 

[BC WetCoast]

For those who say the prices are too high, if the OP got several prices and they are in the same range, then obviously there is something going on that we can't see in the pictures.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

I saw plenty from the pics. Nasty horrible Trees to deal with, tons of haulout with tight quarters and and poor access. And keep in mind, he hasn't even shown us pics of the fan palms he won't tackle.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Don't judge a bid from the pics he chose to show, there were 4 other Trees in those bids.

 

[Ted Jenkins]

Yes those trees are nasty. It takes so much energy to cut up the wood that is not wood. It does not split well or at all. Then the stuff has to be carted off and paid for. The trees are growing so none of the stuff will be lite. The bids look reasonable for what they are doing. Of course about 30% of the bid is for insurance. If you are comfortable with the amount of work go for it. It will probably cool down to 110 this week so ice a few gallons of Gatorade. From the pics it looks like 10 days to two weeks if all goes smooth. If your time table will allow the you will feel very satisfied that you earned your way. Thanks

 

[TaylorNV]

Wow, thanks for all the awesome replies! I ended up buying a few tools for the project. I bought a cheap pruner and lopper from Harbor Freight:

And used those guys to cut all the fronds off the first Canary palm:

So, making progress! Now, to get this guy cut down, I bought an Echo CS-400 chainsaw from HD. I got a 15% off offer from them when I bought the house, so I got a nice little discount!

I installed the kickback guard as I'm still a chainsaw noob and looking to keep all my appendages...

So now I'd like to try tackling this trunk. From what I understand, nicely-trimmed Canary date palms like these have a thinner trunk that's covered with dead stuff. There are lots of really pretty ones around Summerlin that are much taller than these, yet the trunks are way thinner. That leads me to think there's a much thinner trunk under all that brown stuff.

What's my best course of action? I think I'd like to try taking it down a little at a time from the top as there really isn't a good path to use to cut it all at once. And the pool is empty, so nothing to break the fall of it does happen to go into the pool. I don't want to mess up the plaster in the pool any worse than it is!

Oh and just to give you an overall view of the backyard, I snapped a pic of the Mexican Fan palms. Those I'll definitely need help with as I'm no climber:

 

[Ted Jenkins]

When I have been in that situation and wanted no damage to the property I used tires. Borrow some used ones from a dealer you will not damage the tires anyway. But plan carefully first and cut last. Usually you will not be surprised. Your trees are accessible from ladders, but at some point you will need some assistance if you plan on pulling trees down that are more than 30 feet. Thanks

 

[ANewSawyer]

I wouldn't climb a ladder to cut on a tree. Especially if I had no previous experience.

 

[TNTreeHugger]

That little kickback guard won't save your appendages.
Good luck.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

He's going to have to pull the guard when he gets to the base anyway

 

[TaylorNV]

I'll remove the guard once I get more comfortable operating the saw. In the mean time, I'd like to know if I should start by sawing off the dead stuff (up and down perhaps making my way towards the trunk), then once that's done start cutting the tree down a section at a time. Any advice on how to tackle this would be very much appreciated!

 

[TNTreeHugger]

He's going to have to pull the guard when he gets to the base anyway

Sorry, I was being a bit sarcastic.

 

[unclemoustache]

Obviously hasn't spent much time dealing with palms.

Sorry, never touched one in my life. I take it they're really bad/different from other trees?

 

[BC WetCoast]

There is no trunk under the brown stuff, that is the trunk.

Start at the top and cut small cookies 2-3" thick until you gauge the weight of the material. Put a tarp in the bottom of your pool to make cleaning up the sawdust easier.

Use a wheelbarrow or hand truck to move the material to your car for disposal.

Get a pair of slash pants or chaps to protect your legs.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Sorry, never touched one in my life. I take it they're really bad/different from other trees?

Totally different

 

[jefflovstrom]

$$$$,,,or lose your azz,,
Jeff

 

[Section VIII]

For those who say the prices are too high, if the OP got several prices and they are in the same range, then obviously there is something going on that we can't see in the pictures.

My bad...forgot about the 4 Mexican palms when I saw the photo of the Canary palms. However, I don't consider a 4500 spread as "in the same range".