How to get this one?

How is the standing part still leaning? I would probably try and take the stand down the same time as the broken piece. The last time I did something like this I was above it and cut it from the top down. I took small cuts as it was still stressed pretty good.

Other option is to cut it where you can reach it to relieve some of the stress back at the break. This would be the safer option and work your way back towards the tree base.

Hard to judge a situation like this without being physically on place, but I would probably start from the top of the tree, and work toward the still standing piece, cutting a couple feet or so at a time. Work slow and take care, whatever you choose to do.

Is the top on the ground? If so I'd start there and cut it up, working toward the trunk & break. Then when you get it cut down to where the top part is hanging free, drop the whole thing, what's left, the way it's leaning.

EDIT: Ooops, took a closer look. That's not the top but part of a top. Or a big limb. So I'd still start at the top but when I got it cut down to as much as I could - I would reassess how to proceed.

If mine I would put tractor bucket on the piece broken off after getting rid of the small tree in the way. No Tractor I bet. Then cut off broken part low down and then cut standing tree. But since I am not there. But thing is if you think it's more than you can chew, don't do it. Have help available when you cut it down. Just in case. I had lots of trees down and some of the Widow Makers. I found it cheaper to hire person to do the work than death.

billfred said:

Yeah it’s one big branch, 13” diameter. The top is on the ground.
I probably will work my way up from the ground. Lots of good wood.

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Do you have a pole saw? If you just wanted to get the broken limb stuff dealt with & leave the rest of the tree there, then after working in from the top as far as you can you should be able to whittle away at what is left holding it there with a pole saw until the remainder drops to the ground.

If you did want to fall the rest of the tree, then after cutting in from the top maybe strap what is left of the limb to the trunk of the tree so it stays put while you fall the tree.

Usually hard to tell for sure unless you can be there & see it first hand though...

Well, once you start, why not go to the end? Chances are : leave it ( and let it rot) where it is or, cut stack split and burn the whole of it. The still standing piece of that tree isn’t going to make much apart from rotting,

Dataman said:

I found it cheaper to hire person to do the work than death.

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This has to be the quote of the Day ! I could not resist re-posting

Yes, Shagbark can be difficult to walk way from, best of luck to you.

Where abouts in Indy are you? I am just north of Indy...can you get a truck in there? That tree is not hard to take care of...let me know and I will finish taking it down for you..

Isn’t shagbark a kind of hickory? That should be fine firewood.

As others said, start the furthest point out and work to the trunk. Try to always cut on the high side so if the tree shifts or rolls it is going down away from you.