Our house is 100 years old and we have had to take down several old, large trees.  One was struck by lightning and started to die from the top down.  Another lost a huge branch in a hurricane.

What I learned is, some tree companies take down the tree in large sections, and have a logging truck come and take the wood to a mill to be cut up into lumber.  They actually make good money selling the tree, so it is cheaper for you to have the tree taken down.  And they are making the best possible use of this valuable resource. 

So, before you have someone chop down a tree, ask around to see if you can find someone who will do this!