After pruning and cabling this birch about 9 years ago, pruning it a few times over the years to reduce load, the customer decided to have this tree go away, rather than worry about it in storm season, while out of state for a few months. It had a decent sized cavity just above the main fork.
Was going to change to a brace rod and static system, but...
Speed-lined limbs and tops to the chipper, and swung pieces to the leader over the driveway. Hardly any dragging on this steep driveway, on the east side hill in Olympia. Birch will hang over on a strap quite often. I could fold over branches and tops, and small log chunks, hanging them on the strap, letting them fold over Without letting it smash my foot, then cutting them free, with minimal shockloading to the tree, and the groundman could hold all the speed lined pieces by hand. This removed the need for a line to prevent swinging into the neighboring birch or glass deck railing.
Firewooded down the last 20'.
Had low voltage lights, wide japanese maple on house side, concrete driveway and sidewalk. I accidently broke a pair of branches off a small rhododendron. Homeowner didn't fuss a bit.
Crashpad made of branches/ log chunks for log chunks worked out fine.
We put on a show for the homeowner and some of the neighbors.
At the end of the day, the neighbor wanted the chips. Other neighbor, who watched all day, wanted a bid. Steep work. Winching uphill work. Also wanted some 1-year-old maple firewood hauled out. Happens to contain figured wood.
