The upper story of a huge Betula, Golden Birch

Does that mean this one is for the chop Lori?

I can see why it's still standing, Karen. It's close to the house...on a rocky outcrop...tucked in beside a huge rock which means they can only be felled one way..toward the house! It would be a tricky job for a tree surgeon and would probably involve a "cherry picker" basket for an arborist to stand in to trim the worst of it with a pole saw! March winds usually break up the rotting branches and they fall separately without too much damage. The trunk is huge and probably won't be dangerously rotted for another 50 years. but once the top is off...the trunk can be taken piece by piece.

Sounds like the only option would be to go up to the top and chainsaw it off bit by bit! lol

Have you seen the pole saws that the arborists use, Karen? If you think a chainsaw is scary...these would give you nightmares! it's like a circular saw mounted on a telescoping pole. The arborist rides up midway in the cherry picker and uses the pole saw to take the top stuff! Definitely not the occupation for anyone with vertigo! I'm nervous enough with the chainsaw on the ground..the thought of climbing a tree with one in hand gives me the willies!

i think the chain saws should stay on terra ferma.....we have a pine leaning dangerously towards the house...as we have very few big trees i'd love to leave it there but it just dosen't make sence with the winds we get. appart from the house there is a conservetory a gas tank and the phone cables in the way......how to solve the problem.....i have a secret weapon....Sion...my nephew who cant resist a tree climb. slowly over the last three or four months hes been up the tree cutting off a branch at a time with a panel saw...his favorite weapon.....now it is low enough to miss the cables his dad will bring the rest down soon..

You are both giving me nightmares! lol ;)

Every family should have a daredevil. Keeps us all firmly grounded because we're always cringing at whatever they are doing! That certainly is the way to go, though Sandra. Little bites. Anyone who works with tree removal or pruning has a great respect for them... they are very heavy...even the ones that looks small! If they should land on you or your car..or anything else you value..it's game over!!
I posted a pic of the Serbian Spruce that someone tried to cut down and haul away three days before Christmas (Cornwall)...it was about 15 ft tall (just getting started, as spruce go) but it was too heavy for them to carry. They left it lying beside the neighbour's driveway.