I doubt a come-along would pull out a standard, mature tree but on shrubs and dwarf trees, it saves a lot of sweat. For a mature tree, that your not in a hurry to remove your brother in laws technique sounds intriguing. If he could roll in a fulcrum, it might be even better. How does he deal with the final stage, when he is digging and the tree is almost ready to go. When I'm cutting, I like to have a QUICK escape exit.