I'm no pro, but cutting up a large tree with a chainsaw is a dangerous business. The contractor has a point about the coiled branches. It's more that the entire tree can shift and move as you cut it, if you're not careful about how you proceed, and/or you lack experience doing so. There's always the danger of kickback, and if the tree is still partially rooted, that is an issue as well.

I cut up a large maple in my yard that a thunderstorm had felled. I found a metal pipe inside the trunk, near the base. It had contributed to decay and the eventual collapse. Luckily I found it before my chain did. It's that kind of surprise that $450 is worth, IMO.

Just my $0.02.

__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon