A small amount of arithmetic and a few elementary measurements
suggested that much (but not all) of the recommended work could
practically be undertaken by a sensible worker, i.e., me,
after the purchase of a ladder. We already have a very nice
20 foot pruning saw and clipper, so only a 24 foot extension
ladder needed to be added to the equipment list.
Herewith you see yours truly disposing of one of the more horizontal and low-down branches. Not only are these the most stressful and least productive of the tree's limbs, they are the ones most responsible for reducing the light that reaches the grass.
Kay is on the end of the rope, and the camera.
Quoth Kay of this photo, "every line of your body says that that was
scary". Good summary. The electric chainsaw came in very handy,
but it is unnerving being on the end of a long ladder, weilding an
object that slices off limbs of people at least as easily as it
slices off limbs of trees, hoping that the falling limb does not
take out the ladder. (Hence the rope above.)
The job is not half over, and we have filled the garden waste bin,
covered the concrete with branches, and laid up a decent lot of
firewood....