Reduce or fire wood? What would you do?

Have been asked to fell this beech , on one hand I don't want too and think it could be reduced hard maybe 40% maybe more, one part of me thinks it's the right thing to do and could if survives go on for another 100years the other is thinking gob it up and have an easy fell bearing in mind I will not get paid this work as its all for the timber and the reason I work on the estate .... The owner wants it felled, so it does not fail and damage his replanting, opinions please?

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Firewood,matey looks in a bit of a state.

Targets? Reduce, monolith, try not to fell, please! Look at it, fantastic tree

Your choice though, sure you will do the right thing given the situation and options. Looks like a nice place to work

If it were my job that would be felled and on the back of my truck before you could blink.

If you wont get paid for the reduction surely that option is off the table?

Take all the top for firewood and leave the stem to rot away naturally.

Maybe a high fell, say at 6 feet, leave a nice mono for the wee beasties. Besides, all that twisty fluted bit will be nasty to split into firewood.

I don't mind climbing it and doing a heavy reduction, 45 mins?? Sned the limbs dropped and winch out...was hoping one of the Arb talk ecologists fancied a satardays play around on it for free... Ha ha

Sounds like a job for MonkeyD and Hama then!

Looks like it's curently defying gravity! I'd help you out,out of the kindness of my heart, but you'r too far away

If you were to reduce it could still quite possibly fail so bear that in mind, but if that's acceptable and you'r willing to give up your time for it then good on ya

Imo its definietly defiying gravity,I'm up for it but would Like any info on success rates , most beech I've reduced that have been this size say35% ,in woodland but at the same time in decline (unlike this the growth seems vigourous )they have died any input from monkey on pollarding old beech would be great!