This is why you hire professionals...thank goodness nobody was hurt!!
That's what's apparently called a barber's chair split..cut the wedge out then cutting the backcut the limb split and tore down 10 or 12'. Problem was the cutter was waist-belted to the limb..so he had to drop the saw and pull his waist belt release before he got squished. All good in the end..darn dangerous job though. It's one of our two giant maple trees..end of life..started dropping limbs as big around as me through the garage. Sad to see it go but at least we'll be able to grow grass now. Planting a somewhat smaller tree with deeper roots..probably an ironwood or blue beech.What's the story behind the picture?
That guy is 47 and still doing that work. God love him man.Still got his spikes on!!