He's very quickly realizing that there's not much he can do right now. Hickey slams into the tree, which doesn't bend or break, as he comes to the realization that he's probably going to have to stop this for the moment.

Hickey snarls, looking up at John before he points out, "You're still stuck in Dogtown. If I don't kill you, something else will. Honestly, you'd be better off taking your chances with me."