[Xist]

I figure that if I secure a long rope as high as I can, tie it to my car, and idle up the street until there is just tension on the rope, and then have someone sit in the car, idling again, unless the tree can pull on the car, the pull will pull on the tree, ensuring that when I cut it, it falls that way.

As long as the rope is much longer than the tree, it can't possibly fall on the car, right?
Right?!

I am concerned regarding the widowmaker.

When I was in scout camp, a kid pointed out that sometimes when you break a stick, a small piece flies in the other direction.

This sometimes happens with trees.

Maybe get another long rope and tie it off every 4'?

What about trying to cut it in half first?

We have a stepladder.
Climb it, tie it to the tree (top and bottom), tie a long rope as high as I can, secure myself to the tree with a carabiner and another rope, and cut much of the way through, but not so much that it might fall before I am a safe distance away.

Then tie the rope to my car, and slowly drive up the street?