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I will be cutting down my first tree soon -- I'm embarrassed to say at my age. It's a pretty small one that is dead (pushed over in a wind storm and now leaning against my house).

Any recommendations on good quality tools? I'm thinking maybe I'll just start with a hand saw; but maybe an axe as well. I hope to one day move on to larger trees and wood cutting for my fireplaces. I'd like to find tools that will last many years, but don't want to be wasteful by buying stupidly expensive stuff that really isn't all that good. If people have suggestions for finding tools rather than buying them; I'm very open to that. Is craigslist a good place for this kind of thing?

Anyway, looking for advice from the experts.

EDIT: I have completed the tree felling. Video; as requested:

Depending on how small, a handsaw would work good. Might be a pain though since it's leaning against the house, it'll have a tendency to "pinch" the blade. But you can get around that. I would personally not go with the axe. I know jamie makes it look easy, but it really isn't that easy to use one. Saws are pretty cheap at a local hardware store or lowes or home depot. (Ones on craigslist usually need sharpened, but that's up to you) Axes also are not that expensive. Assuming you aren't living off the grid like someone we know...

corrado33 wrote:Might be a pain though since it's leaning against the house, it'll have a tendency to "pinch" the blade. But you can get around that

Thanks! I'm definitely going to go saw route. Really good point on the "pinch". I better spend some time thinking about the optimal angle for my cut.

Any thoughts on what to look for quality-wise so that I don't end up with a tool that is "disposable". I'm hoping for something that will last.

Honestly it depends on how big the tree is. If it's light enough, you'll be able to push through getting pinched. Be careful though, it will fall. Hopefully not on your toes! I'd personally throw a rope up around the top and try to pull it down the other way once it's free from the base. (I'm assuming it's still attached to the roots and stuff and it's just leaning). But, I can't see your situation so I can't comment either way.) If it is just leaning like I said above, I'd do exactly what I said, throw a rope around the top or so, then cut the bottom really low, so when it drops it doesn't have far to go, then pull it down the other way. (With a long enough rope so you won't get hit, or just pull it around something (a pulley attached to another tree for example, so you can be out of the way. Or simply another tree would work, but that risks hurting the tree.)

I bought a saw from home depot years ago, haven't needed to replace it yet. I tend to shy away from really cheap tools, as you get what you pay for. I usually buy the midgrade tools that, if treated right, will last for years to come. Or you could find one on craigslist and and teach yourself to sharpen them. It's not that hard.

But, if you are seriously thinking about cutting wood for your fireplace... a chainsaw would be the best thing you'll every buy. I couldn't see someone out there with a handsaw cutting 1.5 foot lengths of wood from a tree with a handsaw. Sure it's possible. And I'm sure jaimie would do it with an axe, but it'd be pretty time consuming.

Splitting wood with an axe is fun though.

Anyway, good luck! If you're worried about what tools to buy, just google reviews of them. They're everywhere!

I've taken down a few trees close to houses - definitely think about where it will fall! Usually I'd disassemble them from the top, then use a rope to pull it where I wanted it to go when I got to the trunk-cutting stage. Often you can put on a rope under mild tension, saw a fair bit of the way through, and then use the rope to pull it over the rest of the way.

Thanks for all the great advice guys. I'm definitely going to use a rope and pull it down; good idea. It's a very small tree; probably only 6" diameter. It's about 20ft tall though (one of those fast growing trees). It's more awkward than anything...so the rope should help me make sure it doesn't end up on my toes or going through a window.

I'll work my way up to the big ones

I've thought about getting a chainsaw as well, and I'm sure I eventually will. I want to try getting an axe first though. I would like to see if I can use it for some exercise. It's something my father always did a lot; and Jaimie inspires me to get stronger/healthier. For this tree the saw should be fine though.

Yeah you should be fine. Let us know how it turns out.

Take video and post it up!

WE SHOULD MAKE A JAIMIE SUPPORTER YOUTUBE CHANNEL!!!!!!

Be very careful cutting down trees. A guy that I worked with was killed years ago while helping someone cut down a tree.

sjvsworldtour wrote:Be very careful cutting down trees. A guy that I worked with was killed years ago while helping someone cut down a tree.

Sorry about your co-worker. Yeah, I am VERY aware of the danger. Where I grew up people were killed felling trees every few years. Once it was a friend's grandfather who had SO many years experience.

Luckily my tree is very small, so it's unlikely to do more than maim or blind me with a branch; hehee.

I'll be careful. Also will try to shoot some video for corrado33...so you can all laugh at my ineptitude. I'm putting it off for a couple days due to rain.

If you happen to get an axe, the best axes by far I've used are "fiskars" axes. Soooooo much better than anything else I've tried. ...and I've tried a lot.