treemandan
Tree Freak
Here is a grainy but classic video of some yahoos cutting a tree with an obvious lean and a resulting barber chair. Think of where your head would be if you were standing in front of it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucjWV3p-jpQ
That said, why didn't you put a wire on that maple and pull it in the preferred direction? A good Griphoist will give you positive control, providing you have enough room to drop it whole.
Real good example. WHat's a grip hoist?