Business Idea (lumber)?

I've been thinking about getting into lumber. I've never cut down a tree before, don't know what kind of tools I need, etc. So I have this old tree in my front yard, right next to the road. It's about 30 feet tall with 12" diameter. It doesn't have any branches or leaves so it's probably dead. Somebody has fastened some wires and a light (only comes on at night, wierd). How much could I get for this type of timber? There's about 20 of these growing in my neighborhood. Would I get more out of it if I chop it into fire wood?