Trees and tree problems

A while back I posted a question about a fungus growing in the base of my maple tree. I just wanted to thank everybody for the tips. I contacted my county extension office and they broke the bad news to me. The tree is probably more than 50 years old and is nearing it's end of life. Now I have to figure out how much it will cost to have it cut down. I would like to do it myself but half of it is hanging over my fence and the other half is above my house. I get the feeling it will not be cheap to have cut down. On the bright side now I will not have to worry about getting firewood for next winter.