how do I harvest this

[tyb525]

Dave, even though it is a field tree, I would call it a "yard tree". Clues are, the trunk is very short before it starts branching off, and once it does branch off, there isn't really a main trunk after that. It is also along a fencerow, so it's likely to have metal in it from the fencing (sawmills hate metal!) I've also seen many trees with that kind of form have rot at the heart.

On the upside, trees like that with bad form CAN have some really nice figure somewhere in the yard.

If you decide to cut it, be VERY careful, especially once it is on the ground. There will be a LOT of tension on those branches   sticking out the sides, when they are on the ground.

If you have your own sawmill to cut the log with, it might be worth it. But if you were planning on having it milled, that 8 foot log might not be worth all the trouble of cutting it down, then paying a sawmill to mill it. Maple is not that valuable, unless it has some great figure in it.

[Ianab]

alright, teach me.  what are the signs that tell all of you that it's just firewood.  I don't understand.  I want to see what yall see.

Good saw logs are straight, solid, have few knots, and no tramp metal.

So a nice tree growing in the shelter of a forest may go up 20, 30, 40 ft before it has any serious branches. That means 2 or 3 good saw logs can be made from it. Tree growing in the open like that don't shed their lower branches early on, and they grow into huge great knotty beasts.

Once you have a major fork, anything above that is questionable, it's smaller, probably not straight, usually has internal stress, in other words, firewood.

I see from your profile that you do have your own mill, so that makes it worth trying for a sawlog from the base. If it's 8ft x 24" dia then you might get 200 brd/ft from it. Once you get the tree on the ground, make firewood out of the tops and then you can decide if the remaining log looks like it's worth sawing. If it's rotten or has metal staining, carry on making firewood. If it now looks like a decent (albeit short) saw log, start milling.

Ian

[beenthere]

It's too dangerous to cut down as a sawlog, so it is suggested that it is just firewood. Doesn't it have to be cut down to make it into firewood?    

Right, it is not firewood just because it is dangerous to cut down. Firewood if the quality of the wood under that bark with all the indicating surface characteristics is not what one wants in lumber. Any branches are usually loaded with reaction wood and make poor lumber.
The many limbs and twists and turns in this tree indicate firewood at first blush. However, there may be some boards or flitches that come out of this trees' butt log with some of the most gorgeous grain one ever laid eyes on. But can bet there are very few clear straight-grain boards.