In that case definitely consider using a contractor. It’s most likely Ash Dieback which affects the structure of the timber. Depending on how far gone it is, it might collapse while you are cutting it.
I'd 2nd that advice.
A lot off folk are being killed and hurt by ash over the last few years.
Ash has always been unpredictable even before ADB, but to be fair a lot of folk getting hurt are tree monkeys that dont really know wot there doing felling on the deck.
There is a big difference ground felling to climbing.
If u can put them the way they lean ur not to bad otherwise u definatrly need a winch as hinge never holds to swing them anywhere else.
If ur mate is a proper forestry cutter hes the man to ask for advice or even show u.
Most folk will use a dogs tooth or trigger type back cut on ash, possibly boring the gub out 1st too, to prevent barber chairs.
Another very handy tip is to wrap a retchet strap around the butt a few feet above where ur cutting.
Thats how the old timers done it before chainsaws when using axes and cross cuts.
As for saws.
I'd very strongly advise against buying any 5 series Husky saws.
Absolute f##king junk, i spent all afternoon swearing at 1 of mine yest. Worst off it is got a van full of those useless oranage things.
And got a 3 yr old saw spent past 2yrs in bits as dealers camt fix it.
Its not done much work eithet.
I come from a right forestry area that was all husky when i grew up, i can actually mind them piled in heaps at the back door to 1 pub on a fri night.
If u going husky order a 372, cracking saw.
I know quite a few pro cutters selling there nee 5 series saws to run 3 series. Just bonkers but so many issues with 5 series its not real. Quite rare to hear anything positive about them at all.
There is an online company selling brand new 3 series huskies, they were proper huskys built to last.
I think the pre xtorq which were the real bombproof 1s.
Personally im going to all stihl now.
Im not a fan of the 500i, but im in the minority.
An absolute best of a saw but too thirsty on fuel for me, im not carrying 2 combi cans up into the wood every day. 5l hardly lasts u to piece time, the 462 isnae that far behind it.
But if ur only ringing firewood up close to ur van be a decent saw
But plenty other decent makes, makita or echo if u have a decent dealer nearby.
If ur buying a cheaper saw brand id only buy from a place that also services and fixes them. They wont sell sh#te as they then have to fix it