A couple of years ago at the annual Thresherman's Association show in Pickneyville, IL, there was an old International (if I remember correctly) that was pulled out of the woods with a similar problem... except that the tree had grown completely around the left frame rail, just behind the radiator. The tractor's first appearance was just shortly after the tractor was cut free...then the next year they had it fully restored, with a twist... The gentleman who restored the tractor cut the section of tree out to free the tractor, but when they restored it, they left the section of tree on the tractor. They varnished and polished the wood, and it really did look kind of neat, and gave an idea of what they had to do to get that old tractor running again.
I wish I would have taken a picture of it... maybe someone else on here has seen it and has a picture.