This is the shocking moment bungling council workers botched an attempt to fall a tree and crash it straight onto a parked car.

Dramatic footage of the bizarre incident shows one worker making the final cut at the base of the tree's trunk in a city garden square in Chelyabinsk, southern Russia, on January 27.

Four others brace themselves with a length of rope tied to the top of the tree, aiming to guide it into the square.

However, they badly misjudge the fall, and the tree topples sideways, landing on top of one car and hitting a second with its branches.

The tree narrowly misses one pedestrian, who has to run to avoid its path.

City officials have apologised for the incident and asked victims to submit bills for repairs to the damage.

A spokesman said: 'People need to assess the damage, bring settlements to the contractor company. We'll figure it out. No one is denying responsibility.

'Anyone to blame will pay.'