Sometimes the ONLY option is a towering takeoff, that is why the British military teach it. In such cases there is a risk of a heavy landing in the event of an engine failure, even in a twin, but at least it would be vertical on the u/c and not involving trees or other obstructions. The correct way to fly the towering T/O is to move forward to gain airspeed as soon as the aircraft will clear the obstruction. Obviously we are NOT talking Class A performance stuff here!
The so called "Max performance" takeoff is good IF there is sufficient space to get translational lift and maintain a sufficiently steep climb angle (hence the aircraft manufacturer being required to prove the performance figures for certification and supply such information in the Flight Manual).
I have been in the "other seat" in a twin quite a few times when I have felt that if an engine quit we would have been through the trees and not over them and a better option would have been a towering takeoff, possibly in another direction. The risk involved in a vertical landing can be quantified (and practiced in a simulator) but going through trees, albeit at a lower ROD, or even with a ROC, carries an unquantifiable one.
Common sense and training should give the pilot a clue on which takeoff profile to fly!