Takedowns on a sick tree are sometimes cheaper and safer than trimming on a sick tree, for what it's worth. BUT, get the opinion of the guy you know because takedowns are also easier ~ perhaps that's where the opinion was coming from (which one is faster/easier for us says the tree guy to himself). Trees on the West Coast are obviously different from East Coast trees so I can't and won't second guess I wish, for many reasons, Baker were here to advise DANG. ).