Spar sections - How big is too big

[futbalfantic]

I am going to harvest some pine trees for lumber. They are all old growth trees 60ish feet tall. Unfortunately I don’t think I will be able to drop them from the ground, so I will have to climb and bring them down in chunks. I would love to cut them in 10-15ft sections but that seems mighty large with significant lateral forces on the tree. Is that asking for too much? If not how should the hinge be cut and how to get that big of a piece of wood on the ground safely?

 

[Tigwelder83]

Do you have to catch said pieces? Tipping large pieces will shake the stem more, but if the tree is healthy / sound, it shouldn't be an issue.

Catching / lowering big wood requires both expensive gear, and a skilled crew. One wrong knot, or unattentive ground man and it's too late.