Tree crushes backhoe - GIF

[Frank S]

So many mistakes. From the looks of the root ball that came up wit the tree, the operator had already cut all of the roots on the side he wanted it to fall toward. If you want to push one over, you cut opposite side from the fall. He also had the hoe set up too far from the tree to push it over. Ahe bucket was fully extended way before he got the tree pushed far enough.

Pushing the whole tree over is a good way to get the stumps out. You have all of the leverage with the tall trunk and all the weight at the top of the tree. BUT as with most jobs, you really do need to know what you are doing. You can get lucky sometimes, but it is best to make your own luck.

He may have had some of the roots cut on the near side judging by the mound of dirt, But as you said the backhoe was way too far from the tree. even where he was had he just maintained the push he already had on it gravity may have taken over pretty soon anyway.