Perhaps the smaller trees would be more likely to bend/snap, absorbing more energy
1. Scout out some good softwood.
That rescue is truly remarkable.
Not only did the plane remain stable in the tree, one of the volunteer first-responders had the appropriate tree climbing experience and equipment to reach the accident site.
That experience could have easily gone to waste - arborist climbing techniques and standards are very different from what is used for vertical rescue.
The fact that the rescuers made the pragmatic decision to go ahead with borrowed techniques is very unusual.
Such as:
http://www.fox5ny.com/news/plane-stuck-in-tree-idaho