I’ve never experienced this, most likely because I have indoor cats, but I can imagine how anxiety ridden people feel when their cats are up a tree and won’t, or can’t, get down. Here’s a story from a woman in Pomona, NY, Petina Cole, whose cat-in-a-tree story ended well. I wish I had a photo of the cat, but she sent these. Three cheers for the rescuers! Take it way Petina:

On Nov. 24 a daring tree climber scaled a 50-foot tree to save a cat.
I urged the police and fire departments to help me get kitty out of a 50-foot tree for two days.  I called several local tree companies and some animal rescuers.  No one was willing to help.
Finally, Angelo Schembari of Ira Wickes Arborists, Spring Valley, came to my Pomona home.

Schembari called special climber Greg Lewis and their assistant Curtis June to the scene.  Lewis climbed by rope over 50 feet to perch above the cat. The cat them climbed out on a limb and Greg patiently coaxed her into a state of calm.  He then swung off the trunk and reached out to grab the cat and bring her to safety.

At one point Lewis was swinging almost upside down to position himself to grab Lucky Kitty.  Lewis is a cat lover with four cats of his own.  He asked about the cat’s temperament.  I told him this was a feral cat I had rescued.  He was undaunted and the cat ultimately relaxed in his arms.  (This is a cat who bites.)  He had planned to use a pillowcase to hold the cat, but it was unnecessary.
Schembari and Lewis spent about 15 minutes preping, with June ready to assist, if the cat suddenly jumped out of the tree.  Lewis was up the tree in a matter of minutes and had the cat in about 5 minutes more.
I was desperate when I realized kitty had been up there for at least 2 days with a 50-foot straight drop to piles of rocks.  She really couldn’t make it down.  And grandma in Boston is waiting for us to come and bring her Thanksgiving. All good now.