Got a large dead oak tree behind the house near a stream where the kids like to play so it's got to go. Trunk is about 24" diameter at the base. It Y's about 50' up with one side extending way up to 80-100'. It's dead as a door nail, been dead for at least 3 years, the bark is mostly gone and the outer few inches is soft and spongy. Concern is vibrations from chain saw triggering the high up dead limbs to fall on me while cutting. It's in the woods on a steep slope with no way to get to it with a bucket truck and no good climbing trees near enough for rigging. Thoughts?

Tannerite at the base and hope for the best.

Will driving steel wedges help it to fall the direction you want it to go

I would not worry too much about the saw causing any problems. Pay attention and have someone there to watch your back. I would worry more about the rot in the center of the tree and what cause it to die.

Most likely, but I'm not sure how much cutting and pounding I can get away with without causing dead limbs to fall. Maybe using an axe and going slow and easy would be safer than chainsaw?

Tie a long line on it hook it to a truck and shake the heck out of it from far away keep pressure on the tree then cut it most of the way then pull it down if that works for you.

A dead chicot to the head has killed many a logger.Be careful.
Also if its bad rotten no way to hinge it to fall in the right direction.

Throwball and rope. Try to snap as many of the limbs as you can? Not all dead limbs will snap.

Take all the debris from around the tree, for a good distance, stack it for a bonfire around the base and burn it down. You can watch the tree from a safe distance and stomp out any sparks it throws when it comes down. Punky trees, with long, heavy branches like that are called widow makers for good reason. They often turn and twist when they drop and throw wood for a long distance.

Keith

If I understand the question, you’re worried about upper branches falling on you from saw vibration?
I’ve dropped a few long dead trees with large upper story. Someone watching the top so you can watch the saw and cut. Sharp chain. Drop it the way it’s leaning. Get in get it done and get out. Hard hat a little extra PPE
Other than that a dozer with full rollover cage.

If you can order some plastic or aluminum felling wedges. Steel will booger up a saw.

Does it have a natural lean in a direction where you can fall it with no problem? If so just go ahead and cut it down with your chainsaw. I wouldn't get too fancy with it and the least pounding you do on it the less likely break off one of the widow makers.
It's much safer cutting down dead tree that has sap rot than a tree that has hidden rot in the interior of the stump. If you have an increment borer you could do a little probing first.

Pay someone else to do it, and make sure they have workmens comp and accident insurance before they start.

My advice would be to bore cut it. That way you can have it all set up. Then you just need to snip the back and escape. Make sure you have a clear escape route . Preferably at a 45 degree angle away. You can put wedges in before you release it too.

Your concerns are certainly justified. What you described is a dangerous situation for sure. The best advise I can give is the least amount of time you spend under those branches the less likely you will be to get hit by one. Driving wedges, taking it slow with an axe etc are not good options in my opinion.

This, 24" is plenty big enough, however if you have never done it call someone who has.

what cmcf said , is right ,

Pay a logger/tree cutter. Too many people get killed/injured cutting these down. Here in North east Pa. we have many dead ash trees. Just lost a friend a few months ago due to a limb falling off a tree he was cutting. You don't have time to run out of the way! Be smart.

If you want the number of a reasonable priced pro, PM me.
No guarantee if he is in your area, he moves around.
Those kids need you.

Those trees were "cute" when little.

I am tight as a drum but some things you just pay a pro to do.

I have cut many a tree. Have not been hurt YET but I have come close a couple of times.

Like others said, rotten ones are unpredictable