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[trz]

I have a box elder about 10" dia. that's growing at about a 45° angel. How do I go about cutting it down? Would you make a relief cut ( won't the weight immediately pinch the saw)? Or just cut it without relief cut or notch?

[dukethebeagle]

just whack it.its gonna go anyway

[mlappin]

 I'd still put a relief cut in if only a few inches deep, leaners can do funny things sometimes, like kick right off the stump.

[farmboythegreat]

notch it 

[AirForcePOL]

Make a small relief cut in the side that's leaning (maybe 2 inches)  Make your final cut on the other side about a inch higher.  Make sure you get enough cut before it starts to fall.  It should snap off once it leans enough.  Just be careful that it doesn't pop up and hit you in the face after it falls. 

Disclaimer: I am not a professional unless we're talking about beer drinking.  Cut at your own risk. 

[lindnova]

I cut box elders like that all the time.  Just like others have said you need to make a small bottom cut or notch.  Otherwise it will split and hang up and be hard to saw off not to mention dangerous.  Sometimes they barber chair or spin so watch out.  I cut them at waist height so I can see what is happening and am standing ready to run. 

Be careful and have an escape route.

[d conover]

I just noticed the post, kind of late...   Do a search on cutting heavy leaner trees, and barber chair like mentioned before.

Leaning trees can be real dangerous.  It is usually recommended to do a plunge cut to relieve the center of the tree. then notch it, then fell it by cutting backwards out of the plunge cut.
I did a terrible job of trying to explain.

Anyway I like to got my head took off several years ago by a leaning tree splitting and shooting right back inches from my head. 

[LittleJohn]

IMO I would not plunge cut a tree at 45^o, HELL its half way over only a small relief cut should be required.

I do like the cutiting at waist height if you will be removing stump later, provides leverage

[lindnova]

The OP has a 10" tree.  Small notch and back cut.  Plunge cutting is for bigger trees.

[CountryBoyJohn]

I just noticed the post, kind of late...   Do a search on cutting heavy leaner trees, and barber chair like mentioned before.

Leaning trees can be real dangerous.  It is usually recommended to do a plunge cut to relieve the center of the tree. then notch it, then fell it by cutting backwards out of the plunge cut.
I did a terrible job of trying to explain.

Anyway I like to got my head took off several years ago by a leaning tree splitting and shooting right back inches from my head.

Mr. HD5 is correct.  Notch the underside, then plunge up to the hinge, then back towards the back of the tree.  Watch the videos.  This is a dangerous cut. 

[farmboythegreat]

wrap  some C4 around it  and  put a long  fuse   

[LittleJohn]

wrap  some C4 around it  and  put a long  fuse   

Length of fuse depends on how fast you can run 

[tawilson1152]

If the stump has to come out too and you have access to a backhoe you can dig the roots out on one side and push it over. I mention this because a box elder that has to come down is often in someone's yard. I took down a couple larger ones in my backyard this summer like this.