A tree surgeon is at work, removing a huge cottonwood just down the street from my house. The tree had to be removed because of the danger that a brittle branch might break off and fall on somebody. By the end of the day, the monster was cut down to the ground.
We had a tree taken out at our house recently. I was quite impressed by the skills of the guy cutting it down. The tree was 8 feet from the house and right next to a fence. I agree with Tom. There is no way I would every try to do that.