Was it showing signs of Ash die back ...big problem in Derbyshire ,a tree surgeon told me 70 % of trees in Derbys are ash Oh when are you fitting a pop top to it Art .
If you have die back with Ash what are your options. Leave it. Trim Or remove it. Are you obliged to do anything except face the consequences of it falling down and damaging property.
A guy near to me, has just put a pop top on his ex BG van, he also has a rock n roll bed with custom cushions
Think you have to report it to the authorities if you see die back on an ash tree if it is in an area where it could fracture and damage people property and such like .
Providing the lump isn't loaded with Knots ....then you have to use one of those log grenades and even then you will sweat . Worse still it flicks out and wacks you ...then the trip to A&E
Also ..lumping a axe with a lump hammer can shatter the axe shaft if you give it to much wallop . Once shattered one doing that practice with a sledge hammer .
This ash is extremely soft, Split across the round with the hand axe as a wedge, then chop with the long axe
Its a very satisfying chopping up logs ...the sharper the axe the better . most are usually blunt even when bought new .
What you need is a John Deere with a log splitter Are you going to be all muscley at next Techenders after all this physical work?!!