Seem a little on the harsh side.
My band mill came out of Pennsylvania, the maker of the mill said the Amish used black power to reduce large logs into smaller size sticks which would fit on the mill. I can cut up to 30" wide. They had some big trees to deal with.
I have often wondered about the Lucas swing mill. It has a slabbing attachment to deal with big wood.
Here is some propaganda, they make it look easy with the music and all. The end even has a timber frame built at the Bailey's site. Siding doesn't have to be beveled.
http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail.asp?item=LM10+30K&catID=It comes in under the price of a new pickup truck and will last longer and give additional income, no registration, inspection, insurance. And you can make your own siding.
So, is blowing up dead standing trees less dangerous?
