The last time I dropped a tree, it fell exactly 180 from where I planned it to fall. Nobody got hurt, but I got to talk to my insurance agent a couple of times and we both met with my neighbor, who being the man he was, still talked to me and bought my kids fireworks until the day he died several years later.
Also, worst bruise ever. Covered the whole top of my right thigh and turned a very nasty dark purple color. Lasted for weeks.
I learned (after the fact) from my insurance agent that if the tree had hit my own house (instead of my neighbor's shed), I wouldn't have been able to file a claim. Drop a tree on your neighbors house. No problem, you're covered. Drop a tree on your own house? You are screwed!
In case anybody else reads this thread...I'd suggest buying one of the many good chainsaws recommended in this thread (I own a Stihl 026 with an extended bar). The most important thing is to get one you can get parts for...I'd choose more based on the local shop than on the saw itself. You'll be buying parts (new chains and bars, oil) for the life of the saw, so get one you can fix or get fixed locally.
Also, best chainsaw advice ever:
When you are done with the saw, sharpen the blade, clean it, drain the gas out of it and run it dry. Then choke it and run it dry again. Stow it somewhere safe (in a case is nice).
You can get it out in a month or a year, put gas in it and it will start! (nothing like pulling on a saw that won't start.....).
Personally, I always try to do my heavy cutting in the winter when it's cooler, preferably early on a Sunday morning the night after our neighbors have had a real late-night party, but that's just me. :whistling:
