Guess it's too late to tell you what a good deal I could have gotten you on a new Stihl.

does he right tool .. saw .. make a difference ???

last pic.. those two stubs look a bit long in the pic .. are they proper???

ken

So you moved into the new place and already chopping down trees?

Whaas --- are you really sure you want a boxelder. I had one for years, but got shot down every time I wanted to have it taken out (because of the cost). Finally, it got so ugly and dangerous it wasn't optional anymore. It was too big for me, so it had to be done by the pro's. I'm so glad the ugly thing is gone.

I can see having one if you live someplace like the cold, dry grasslands of Manitoba and it's one of the only trees that will live. But, they are such a nasty tree overall.

I will say one thing in their favor, though, the sap does make a pretty good syrup, almost as good as sugar or silver maple.

Brandon,
would have been nice on the Poplar and Boxelders I had to take down! The Linden was truly a surgery...for a tree. I wouldn't dare use a chain saw on the Linden with those angles. I guess I could have paid an arborist $300 to it...yes that is what two seperate ones bid.

ken,
I think speed is the only variable. They do look improper but they are good. I guess the bottom side could be questioned. I could take another look or post a pic to verify.

gg,
I need to make room for the new ones!

denninmi,
the tree is only temporary until I can get some coverage behind it. The back lot is completely open...in the spring/summer it will actually screen the deck at a particular angle.

"does he right tool .. saw .. make a difference???"

You better believe it!!! And even more if you're doing a lot.

"does he right tool .. saw .. make a difference???"

The picture is not close enough or bright enough for me to tell one way or the other.

"boxelder..."

Isn't it amazing that these things can even get big, as fast and as constantly as they seem to fall apart?

I'm shocked that I don't see more of these poplars tumbling over. I could snap 2" caliper branches with my own two hands...extremely brittle.

Whaas, one thing for sure, your property looks better! I bet you feel a sense of satisfaction just going outside now.

Whaas -- got it regarding the deck and the boxelder. It does look a a lot better pruned up.

Hey, maybe you can take some pink and white spray paint out there after the leaves hit full size, and make it look like the cultivar 'Flamingo'??? -- I tried one of those back probably about 2000/2001/2002. I paid a lot of money for it (I think about $70). It was pretty, but was really weak, and died off in about 2-3 seasons. :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Acer negundo 'Flamingo'

brandon,
its a start, there is a long road ahead of me. I get extremly anxious when there is so much grass. I'll post before and after this upcoming summer.

denninmi,
I saw that plant before and thought "why the heck would someone come out with an ornamental boxelder!". I just hate hate hate those bugs. When I was cutting down the other boxelders they stunk just like the bug when you squash one!

Whaas -- I wonder if someone created 'Flamingo' or just found it and ran with it?

But, it really is a beautiful plant in person, IF you can keep it alive. I sure couldn't -- as strong as the species is, this cultivar is weak -- slow, sulking, and weak. Of course, I only had the one, maybe it was just sickly from day 1 or something. But I suspect it is just genetically unhealthy and a weak plant that requires skilled care to keep alive.

"does he right tool .. saw .. make a difference ??? "

Yes it does, and in this case I would have just used a handsaw -less than 10 strokes each and no pollution for those green-geeks.

Box Elder needs thinning and the Linden needs to be directed away from the house a bit and there's a huge co-dom there.. good luck! But I am unfamiliar with Lindens, our Basswood trees -which I think are related- don't grow large here so I'm unsure if co-doms in Lindens are a very big deal.

OK maybe a Wildthing on the Linden, didn't see the pic with them big suckers down there!

pictures sure are illusions! Dripline doesn't come within the garage boundary.

co-dom could be an issue...I'll enjoy this 30 year old native for the time being!

No more time to waste on the boxelder! Again, an illusion but the tree is about 25' tall...no reason to get on a ladder for that one.

My reply didn't show up for some reason, and I wasn't talking just about the drip-line but I DO like I mentioned applaud your use with the handsaw! Not enough folks pull it out.