A giant old growth white oak blew down into a deep, steep, Appalachian ravine. It's far back into the forest with no road or trail access, but I want it. To get it I will need to buck it then quarter each log, and ATV skid out each quarter. I'm estimating that I will get several hundred BF of quarter sawn boards ranging from 4"-18" wide. The only way this will be possible (within reason) is with a 100+cc saw. I bought an 084 (122cc) specifically for this tree, and will be equipping it with a 5' bar, ripping chain, and Alaska style mill.
Sure I could cut a road to the edge of the ravine, senselessly removing numerous trees in the process, and winch each log up the steep incline (well maybe). But my band mill can only do a 36" log so it has to be quartered anyway. With an ATV & 122cc saw, I can get the logs & leftover firewood out without causing any major or long term damage to the property. For the price of a used saw, I get a load of pristine old growth, quarter sawn white oak, several cords of firewood, and a saw to be used for any similar future situation that I may encounter. Anybody who has ever tried pricing wide quarter sawn white oak knows how rare & expensive it can be. Imagine a cabin with solid panel kitchen cabinets, floor, and island all from the same tree. Some things are worth the effort. There might be other ways to get it, but a 100cc saw was the most economical, lowest footprint, most sensible way I could think of. Maybe there isn't a demand for giant saws in the east in terms of commercial logging, but that doesn't mean they don't have their place there.