I recall reading an article about young kid’s brains. (Although it was younger than 16 iirc). But younger kids do stuff and really don’t think about it. Although I imagine much of it is just to see the reaction that they will get. (Like little Johnny pulling on Susie’s pony tail).
16 years old? I wonder if he rode his bike or scooter on that trail and the tree was in his way and he hid the handle bars all the time? Probably not, but...
To fell a tree that big you have to think about it because it takes quite a long time. It also makes a lot of noise all that time.
Looks to be at least 10 ft off the trail.
Hope they check all the cell phones at school to see if he did this for Tik Tok or some equally crap app.