I just chopped down a tree, really I used an electric chainsaw designed for smaller trees, but it worked. I bought a used Craftsman at a garage sale for this project only. The chain fell off when I was done since I didn't tighten it mid way through cutting up the fell tree.
So I had a fell tree about 2 1/5 stories tall laying in the yard half stripped, and I went for the hacksaw. Then I went for the axe. I chopped for a while. I'm not totally out of shape, but that is a freaking work out like not much else.
Now I need to fix the chainsaw.
oldsaw
SuperDork
5/24/11 9:32 p.m.
Chopping a tree down is the fun part; chopping it up is the real work.
Unless you emulate my Dad. He is no stranger to chainsaws and felling trees, so when he decided to take one out of his front yard, it was like "no big deal". Right up until it started to topple and scored a direct hit on the mail box.
At least the logs only went as far as the backyard (to feed the woodburner a year later); he got a new mailbox out of it, too.
Sawzalls are good for cutting up trees when they're on the ground.
Circular saws are not good for cutting up trees when they're on the ground.
hotg54b
New Reader
5/24/11 11:12 p.m.
I used a $40 electric chain saw from harbor freight to cut a couple of trees. Works great for me. One of the best tools I've bought at harbor freight.
Shotguns are the proper way to cut down a tree. 
My dad cut down 15-20 trees in his back yard, and broke a few Craftsman in the process. He bought a used Husqvarna and I think that it's now his favorite tool.
Love my electric chainsaw.
Yesterday we didn't have to cut any of the trees down. The wind took care of that for us.
JoeyM, today you are my internet hero for the primus pic. but you do know that beaver was a porcupine, don't you?
