Tree down follow-up

You may remember a previous post in which a tree fell and no one heard it. (It did, nevertheless, happen)
It had heart-rot, which, according to my arborist, Jerry, starts in the root and follows the root up the trunk into the heartwood.
As this tree fell, it clung to its roots, pulling the ground open on the loose soil of its hillside. It created a vulnerability to the coming rains of winter and the erosion of the hillside, leading to unpredictable consequences. (Any metaphors you may wish to draw from the preceeding outline are free for the taking. Apply at your own risk.)
Because this hillside is just a few yards below a state highway, it seemed prudent to detach the fallen bulk of the tree, which was hanging at a 60 degree angle downhill from its roots. Gravity comes into play in such a scenario, and as water flows down hill, so do heavy things. I figured if I could simply detach the tree from the root/stump, I could eliminate the added gravitational pull and also mitigate any surface water entry into the open earth-wound.
Further complicating the equation was the proximity of said highway, the location of a large photo-op turnout on the highway overlooking our tree, the notoriety of the estate we are on and the scrutiny it entails, plus the fact that road work is already ongoing on the stretch in question, which could involve some jurisdictional oversight, blah, blah, blah! Ergo: I decided to apply for a "tree removal permit" before allowing any work to be done on the tree.
Of course, once any piece of the tree falls down over the precipice into the "ocean", other jurisdictions come into play. Ever hear of the "Coastal Commission"? Let's not go there. And please don't force me to delete this post and all references to it, based on what is to follow.
My application for a tree removal permit was granted, after numerous pestering phone calls on my part, based on my repeatedly e-mailed photos and faxed documents, granting me permission to take care of my own stewardship based on certain stipulated conditions that stretch out over the next year or so and the previous umpteen years involving the entire documented history of the assessor's parcel number on record with the county and all of the outstanding tree removal permits, the conditions of which were never satisfied, involving planting new trees, etc. etc. etc.
But only for the ONE tree, not the other tree that was also taken out by the unwitnessed falling that allegedly took place on the night in question.

Witness the additional personnel and extra ropes and safety gear...

- to be continued -