Or they figured that little guy was going to have enough poop where they didn't need to cut a wedge first. Scary stuff. Bordering on "can't fix stupid".
Would be tricky, but if they were to cut what's left just right, it might save them tracking down a MUCH bigger tractor to lower that one safely. With the bucket that high, it COULD land on it's side....
A couple of good lessons here. I never try to push or even steady any tree bigger than about 4" diameter. If if do have to make certain it falls exactly where I want it I will rope it and pull with my skid steer or use a come along. When you work by yourself it may take more time but at least you come home every night for dinner. I enlarged the picture and it does appear they had notched it but the finish cut looks too low. Here is a picture of one that I put too much tension on the rope and created what is known as a "barber chair." You can see the butt came straight back about 6' from the stump. If I had been pushing it possibly right through the open front of the cab crushing me in my seat.
My dermatologist (If you spend 82 years in the sun and on the water you will have one for regular visits) was telling me last visit that her husband was trying to push one with his tractor bucket and a dead branch fell lacerated his head bad. Being on the weekend she sewed it up herself. I can't imagine having my wife stitching up my scalp.
I learned my lesson when a dead branch, or in this case, the top of the tree, came down on me a LONG time ago. I was trying to push a tree down so it would not fall across a trail I keep clear. Thankfully no harm done, thanks to the fact the tractor had a full steel cab. Sure got my attention though....
Looks pretty open around it ...A good notch and back cut at the right angle .. Really shouldn't have needed to push it with the tractor in the first place ..
