Damn $800 sounds nice for a plant though! I can understand though, 20 years is a long time!
dam that thing is huge!
yup the older/slower/weaker you get the smarter you have to work esp when alone for safety. chains/tow straps and come alongs are a big part of my tree work nowdays. I prefer to pull stumps rather than grind them, but swear each one is the last I'll ever do. I've done at least 15 ( not counring a 100' row of crepe myrtle) since moving here all over age 50 and alone. a 24+" magnolia I had to dig a dam 12' moat around it to get the root ball, plus almost broke my neck falling out of it when the ladder spun around. now I ratchet strap ladders in 2 places and wear a climbing harness attached to the tree and use the linemans belt. a tree pro bud of mine died from a small branch hitting him on the head (not his first time) even with a hard hat he likely would have broke his neck.
