There is a sense of accomplishment after jobs like this one and we enjoy a good challenge. We were set up to win on this job by the sales team. A competent crew and plenty of time and equipment. So the outcome was expected by the client which was reflective by the cost of the job.
You post great questions! Especially since the documentation is poor. The opposing pendulems had the load about 60/40 right to left on the first ground cut that was made at the base. The load then slammed into the ground, reducing the lateral force on the exsisting tree on the right and...
Young Jedi? Call me Yoda! Funny it was just like that. I saw the job the night before and came up with the plan. As I got in the trees I was not as confident. From me math we hung 25k from rope and the two trees. Like I said surprised the trees or slings did not break.
Once I had as much off as I could we tensioned the two dwt's plus one more rope at the top and then cut it at the base. Plan worked well. After several cuts there was around 50' of tree hanging free off the ground. I have a few more pics in my phone I will post later.