"Roy Smith" wrote in message ...
Hasn't it occurred to anybody that
this might have been one of those FAA-standard 50 foot trees that leap up
out of nowhere to catch unsuspecting airplanes (kind of like Charlie
Brown's kite-eating tree)?

Ever wonder how the military trains their pilots?
Here is clear example of a military style short field takeoff with 50ft
obstacle.
http://www.aviatordave.com/flight_school.htm#takeoff

David