60hp tractor, skidding winch, and inexperienced owner. What could possibly go wrong?

[1bush2hog]

Some great advice here. Only thing I would add is to look at surrounding trees too for widowmakers. Winching a log and having it bump other trees can bring down some serious danger. Same goes for using a snatch block. Hook it to trees that will handle the load so you don't pull out more than you bargained for