No, most cats really can handle a 10ft drop. Cats are able to turn themselves while falling into such a position where they're able to land on their feet, with most of their weight being supported by their hind legs. Their anatomy in that regard is a lot better than that of humans. Trees in particular are actually more safe, since some cats can sort of climb (or partially fall) downwards instead, using their claws. I've seen it happen many times before.
If the cat was more sickly or something, I'd just rescue it myself. (Or I'd call animal control for help, if I'm unable to make it up there.) It seems kind of selfish to expect someone else to do it for me just for the sake of some romantic-based gratification, when I'm just as capable of doing so. If they're as afraid as I am, or clearly have no interest in bothering with the situation, then why should I expect them to try rescuing it before I do?
Besides, I think anyone who likes cats or animals in general probably would attempt to save it from a height that they gauge as too high (either by themselves, or by calling an appropriate rescue service), anyway, regardless of whether someone asked them to or not.
(Although, as latte mentioned above, I could also see someone doing it for the sake of lessening someone's worries, even if one would gauge the height as safe otherwise. Most likely, I could imagine myself calling an animal rescue service or something if my mom was worried about one of her own, since she probably would also be worried if I tried climbing a tree, too.)