How would you cut this one down?

[Mooseherder]

The area this Balsam Fir is in got hit with some high winds that took down a few other trees a couple years ago.  It is also on the trail down to the stream that we use often and the reason why I have to drop it.  If it would be off the beaten path I'd leave it alone.  I cleaned up some of the other trees down last year and will finish cleanup in this area.  The chain idea wrapped up tight sounds good to me.  I'll have to re-evaluate when I get there on which cut to make. 

[mesquite buckeye]

I like the tie them together idea. I have an oak that could work on.

[Woodhauler]

I would drop that in a heartbeat! 75% of the fir i cut when i cut wood was rotten! I had many years growing up with a saw in my hands ! started in grammer school running skidder and by 8th grade summer vacation i was on the end of a saw everytime i wasn't in school!

[lumberjack48]

I would drop that in a heartbeat! 75% of the fir i cut when i cut wood was rotten! I had many years growing up with a saw in my hands ! started in grammer school running skidder and by 8th grade summer vacation i was on the end of a saw everytime i wasn't in school!

Most of the Balsum have a crack like that around here. I would have that tree on the ground in about 30 seconds.

[gjersy]

Some of these ideas sound good, but without being there to inspect it all i can say is be careful, have your saw sharp, and have someone there when you do it.

[SwampDonkey]

The tree is probably not millable, at least the but end. Probably just a shell down there. But if there is no building near and it's leaning toward an opening I would just make a small wedge out of the lean side, but make the horizontal cut a bit deeper than the 45, then make the back cut. A lot of stuff to clean up if it lands on the trail, but if it's leaning and no dangers of damage, I don't work against gravity. 

Been cleaning up a few blown over aspen this week. Hate trees hung up in others or walking under them.