Of course you could go totally organic...a nice double bladed axe and a good pruning saw. Good for the chicken wings!
I dunno. Last year I tried to chop one down with a hatchet. I quickly learned what a glancing blow is. Fortunately no broken skin, only a bruised shin. I shelved the do it by hand method although I did get a chunk out of the thing (the tree, not the shin) before I quit and now it leans precariously to one side. It will likely be the first one I take out when Skittles gets here.
I have read the input from everyone, and for those concerned for my safety I appreciate it, and am very touched. I have also watched the videos and have now added a Stump Buster to my list of things I want to get. Well, not really, but goodness how that thing can mulch and till all at the same time. I like it! No doubt, though, it's more expensive than a chainsaw.
Fortunately I have a high sense of self preservation and will be very cautious. Yes, I'm the read the directions before you begin type and will likely do some YouTube watching on technique and such.
So here's the plan as it is at present.
I still want a chainsaw.
I'll go back to the store and see if they have battery operated chainsaws in stock that I can hold, and hopefully pick one out. I will also purchase heavy duty leather work gloves, safety goggles (not glasses), and a construction hard hat (See, no one even mentioned a hard hat - I'm ahead of you guys!!) for both myself and my helper(s).
I am expecting that when I get Skittles home husband will take great interest. He generally absconds with most of my outside toys. As he is chainsaw savvy he may take a few moments to direct me in technique. If he doesn't have time I can solicit my stepson, named Jason. I will purchase Jason a hockey mask. Jason has chainsaw experience including a trip to the ER to have his frenulum reattached when he took a chainsaw to the mouth. Minimal worries. It was not running at the time; it smacked him in the mouth when he was trying to pull the rope to start it and luckily it didn't start. A very good reason why I do not want the gas powered kind - I'm no good at pulling those starter ropes.
There will be much work for Skittles after the garden spot is devoid of invasive vegetation. We have about 72 acres, I think it is, and those blasted things are everywhere. So far they have killed the chestnut tree, two plum trees, the catawba tree, two fig trees and are working on the third, and at present have the kumquat trees surrounded and are at the base of all the pecan trees. Time to call in the cavalry.
Thank you guys for advice on pulling up stumps as I really wasn't sure what I was going to do about those. Digging in 100+ degrees was not sounding too appealing. Fortunately my Navigator is 4WD (wouldn't have any truck that wasn't) and pulling them out of the ground could be great fun. And if I don't want to use the Nav, I guess I could learn how to use the Massey Ferguson. Husband has tried to teach me but I find it a bit intimidating. I was able to run the old Ford tractor a little but it crossed over many years ago. Every tractor since then has just gotten more complicated. Besides, I like to use my stuff, not his.
Great story about the 95 year old lady. I'm sorry to hear she's not doing well but now we all know a bit of her history and most likely the info you shared will stick with us. Bless her sweet spirit, and thank you for sharing the story.
Thank you everyone! I'll keep you updated as the project progresses. This coming week: Chainsaw shopping.