The saw was about half way through a branch about a foot in diameter. It pinched the bar solidly so I didn't even try to work it loose. The high lift jack rolled the tree back just enough to remove it without a struggle, but I'm not sure if the jack was going any further, got lucky in that respect. Tried the front loader on the tractor first, no go, so I went back to the barn for the jack.
Working in the crown area of a big downed tree is a little spooky as they roll. I try and work from the top down.
This is exactly what we have with that big beech. The crown is massive, we've taken so much from it and half of it is left. What remains we are reluctant to cut on because it is what is keeping that big trunk off the ground. With multiple limbs touching the ground, one can't be certain which one carries the bulk of the load. If that trunk rolled at you, it wouldn't end well.Always small stuff to the larger. Remove the leverage as much as possible.