Yesterday I went to look at an estimate for a removal of a "very large tree". Its the typical scenario where there is moss all over the roof and they thought maybe remove this allready stripped out cabled up Sugar Maple - mostly because of the roof. Tree is about three feet from the house, definately effecting the roof. Anyway on my way around the property trying to figure out access I notice an actual "very large tree", Sugar Maple with about three leaders, all with included bark type bad crotches. The two leaders that make up most of the two halves of the tree (classic wishbone type codominate) are split apart like 3 - 4" with one half going twards the house. The tree appears to be hollow inside the split and the split runs down the trunk maybe 6' or so on one side. There are also some of those roots that grow up into those cavities sometimes (sorry for the bad explaination) on one side. The tree is at least 40" DBH and the two halfs are very large and heavy - and leaning. Other than that the tree is beutifull and "thier favorite tree", "it frames the whole backdrop, etc. etc." - admittedly the tree does look nice to a novice and really does have a huge importance - for a piece of crap, lol. Now after talking it over with the customers my friend and I (another treeguy) decided to come-along this thing together as best we can, install cables and through rods and also prune the tree and thin to reduce wieght. The problem is I would rather just cut it down as I feel it will just create a future deathtrap - I mean those two leaders are HEAVY, its a big tree! And worse yet I dont think I'll be able to close that crack up much at all with a come-along or my GRCS. I thought about putting a big false crotch block up about 2/3 or so in one lead and running my big 3/4 bull rope through that and then over to the other side with a bowline, then down to the base and into another pulley - and then onto my tractor winch. Then MAYBE it would pull together. All this and is it safe then really?? Or should I just reccomend flopping it in the field thats right behind it, lol. Oh, and the other problem is I cant say I've ever tried to use a five foot timber bit while climbing and I dont think I can get the bucket in due to acres of wet lawn and septic. Hense the question : should I bother?? Would you guys? Is it even ethical?