I have seen some videos and know of a couple of examples where people are cutting the root ball from a downed tree. Rather that clean as much dirt from the exposed root system, they cut the root ball off and let it fall back in the hole. Then they have to grind it down below the surface, to plant over it.

Would it not make more sense to wash as much dirt from the root ball before it is cut off so that when cut off, most it will be above ground for easy removal?

What am I missing?