I would ask you what do you value the most the Pine or the Ash? For me I would leave the Pine and cut the ash down leaving enough of the trunk to anchor the fence if the look doesn't bother you.

In this case I value the pine. In my area mature conifers are far more precious. We also have the ash borer and some other blight decimating the ashes. Taking down any tree is costly, though, so if the pine could thrive alongside it, I would do nothing.

The ash borer will prb'ly take care of your issue.....

It will grow along side of it but be compromised by to much shade. The tree trunk doesn't look that big. A simple cut down with it falling to the open area. Rent a chain saw if you don't own one and go to work.

Isn't using a chain saw up on a ladder very dangerous?

It can be if you don't know the safety issues involved and lack the experience of ever using one.. Not a big job. Hire it out to a professional.

if you want to leave the totem pole ... run the chainsaw near soil level ... just breaking thru the bark to the cambian .. and apply a stump killer ...

ken

The mistake most people make when cutting down a tree up on a ladder is not tying the ladder to the tree. They apply pressure to the saw and the ladder kicks out.

Hire a pro.