I am sitting here shaking (forgive the pun) like a leaf. A huge branch has
just split off of my maple tree in the back yard. It has covered the entire back half of my house.
It made a noise like an earthquake.
THANK GOD..........NO ONE WAS HERE!
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I am sitting here shaking (forgive the pun) like a leaf. A huge branch has
just split off of my maple tree in the back yard. It has covered the entire back half of my house.
It made a noise like an earthquake.
THANK GOD..........NO ONE WAS HERE!
wow..... Good thing no one was hurt.
omg!
is there any damage to the house?
the office?
Are you ok? Are the cats ok? Is your house OK?
Good thing the BBQ is over!!!
I can't tell if there is damage to my home roof because the branches are covering it. But, I think it is alright.
I am alright - just shaken. I checked on the kitties right away and they are in the house - sleeping (they don't "do" trees).
Now I am worried whether I should put it through my insurance because of the flood damage claim that I just had.
If it "ain't" one thing........................
What happened? Was there a storm or earthquake or what? Last I heard, you all were having a terrible heat wave out there!
So glad you and the kitty kids are ok. Prayers of thanks are on the way!!!
Boy Gini, can you give a party or what. :D The earth is still setting with
all the good vibrations. I'm so glad no one was hurt. Hope there's not much
roof damage.
What is happening out there??? I certainly hope there is no damage to your house, Gini.
Perhaps you should invite less roudy guests next year. :D
Gosh, Gini, I certainly hope there isn't any damage! I'm glad everyone is ok.
**hugs**
Wow, I had to search for this thread...didn't think about checking in Meetings.
Gini: the important thing is that you and the kitties are OK, and that it didn't happen when you had company. Hopefully there won't be much damage to the roof. I'm home tonight if you want to talk.
xoxo
So, I'm sitting at work when all of a sudden I see my "message" light go off on my phone. Staci had texted me, "Tree in Gini's backyard just crashed to the ground." :eek:
Despite freaking out (believing it was, indeed, the whole tree that fell), I couldn't help but think, "Only another PTer would understand the need to tell another that their favorite tree --that (A) doesn't belong to them and (B) is in a different state/opposite side of the country-- has fallen." (Now, yes it does go much deeper than that as I was very much concerned for Gini's welfare...)
I am so VERY thankful that no one at HOO-ville was injured. Prayers on the way for a clean bill of health for the patio deck, picnic table, and roof as well.
{{Have a Lemondrop, Mom!}}
Oops, replied in the other thread, then saw this one. Copied:
Oh my goodness, Gini!!! Wow, they say timing is everything and this just proves that point once again! The only thing I can think of is if it happened when everyone was there, just think of the help you would have had cleaning it up. I only say that because, of course, there is no way anyone could get hurt while at a California BBQ. It's just not allowed. Pants can get wine spilled on them, but no bodily injury is allowed to happen.
However, this is bad timing when thinking about the insurance. I'm sure your insurance company took a hit last year with your flood, and after this they may not like you very much. Funny, you pay them for years and years without a single minor claim..... Here's hoping the damage is minor and the main branch decides to hang on until the tree guys get there and cut it down safely.
Gini, I was thinking that it's too bad you don't life closer to my parents. My dad is a wood making fiend and he would be perfect for getting the branch off your house and cut up into firewood size logs in no time flat! He even special cuts logs for Terry and I so they fit in the bins we use in the motorhome. ;)
But, since Wisconsin is nowhere near So. Cal. it occurred to me that Richard and his dad(?) or was it his brother(?) are always making wood. Maybe they could help which would help keep the cost down, which would make it more feasible to not tell the insurance company. Even if they can't, wood makers oftentimes know other wood makers and maybe they know somebody who would do it just for the wood? Anyway....just a thought....
12:20 AM Eastern time -
9:00 - 9:30 PM California time ...
Just got off the phone with "Mom" ...
The "Tree Guy" is supposed to show up in the early morning ...
but he might not "get to it" till :eek: Monday.
I suggested that if he doesn't get at least the broken branch removed
on Friday, "Mom" otta call the Fire Guys to come take a look at things.
Let's all THANK the Big Guy Upstairs for holding off on this till AFTER the BBQ ...
and ask that the Busted Branch doesn't fall on Gini's roof tonight.
<sigh>
/s/ a Thankfull Phred
;)
Gini, YIkes! Like you said, good thing it didn't happen during the BBQ. I'm glad no one got hurt and hope there is no structural damage to your home.
T&P's mom I just had to chuckle at what you said:
How much wood would a woodchuck chuckQuote:
Originally Posted by Tubby & Peanut's Mom
if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
:p
Quote:
The "Tree Guy" is supposed to show up in the early morning ... but he might not "get to it" till Monday.
Oh great!!! I can just see it now. Mz Gini in bed...trying to sleep....jumping up at the sound of every creak....wondering if it's gonna crash right through. That's enough to keep us all awake.
You got it Phred. Praying really hard over here. I'll be checking in for an uppydate tomorrow.Quote:
Let's all THANK the Big Guy Upstairs for holding off on this till AFTER the BBQ ... and ask that the Busted Branch doesn't fall on Gini's roof tonight.
Gini, I'm so sorry to hear this:( but I'm glad that you and the cats are fine and that it didn't happen during the PT BBQ. I hope that there aren't any damages and that the tree guy will come and haul it away very soon. Please continue to keep us updated.
Oh Gini- what a lucky timing! Just imagine the tree just falling in the moment when Sara had that knife in her hand :eek: :eek: :eek:
Hope the roof is ok as well- and the kitties kept sleeping!
Oh Gini, I bet you are shaken! :eek: ... but not stirred. ;) So glad you and the kitties are safe. :) Hope your house didn't have any damage, and the wood guys will come and remove the brances soon. If not, I'm sure the guys in truck 29 will be eager to help. ;)
Good grief, Sara could have been charged with murder - not to mention where Richard could have ended up. :eek:Quote:
Oh Gini- what a lucky timing! Just imagine the tree just falling in the moment when Sara had that knife in her hand http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/eek.gif http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/eek.gif http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/eek.gif
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cinder & Smoke
And the truth comes out....
Some will fall off porch steps to attract firemen, others just saw limbs off their tree. ;)
Omigosh, Gini!
I'm glad to hear that everyone is OK.
I know you were saying that you needed to have the tree limbs trimmed soon. Who knew the tree wasn't going to wait?
Surely there's SOMEONE who can get it off your roof before Monday. Not a good thing for your nerves--or your roof.
How about a little something in that morning coffee? :D
I replied in "Meetings" but will only add that I wish I lived closer (well for many reasons of course, but especially now). I have saws, ropes, saddles (for climbing trees you guys :o ) and know how to use them. This is what Baker (my husband) used to do for a living and he taught me. Please be careful Gini and don't stress, this WILL work out OK. Oh, and insurance? When the huge tree fell in my front yard - oak tree over 100 years old and over 100 feet tall - I was advised NOT to get insurance involved if at all possible. I too had a recent claim from a basement flood. That advise came from my insurance agent who also happened to be a friend.
Just checking in to see how you are Gini?? Did you get any sleep?? Have those hunky guys showed up yet???
How's Richard with a chain saw?
(now why does that thought frighten me? :eek: :D ;) )
Yikes! - I'm just glad that you and the kitties and the peeps (and yes, even the neighbors :rolleyes: ) are all ok. That must have been so scary sounding.
I wish we were there to help - I took down a tree in my yard once, and found out that I really like chain saws :eek:
Still no news. I guess she's out in the back 40 with a chain saw. God, I'm really praying that there is no roof damage. After all she has been through, that will just about do her in.
Check in when you can my friend.
Well, here I am - it is almost 2 pm California time.
My own tree man that I have used for years came right on time. He looked the tree over and HE feels that it can be saved. However, his crew is so busy and once he saw the limb, knew that he needed a larger crew - it wasn't going to be a simple job - and he is booked solid. He agreed that the limb had to come down as soon as possible.
He also told me the fire department wouldn't do anything for me because it was on my private property (rear yard) and not causing a public hazard.
He gave me the name of another company that he has worked with. I called and talked to the owner who gave me a price. I about gagged.........but this was an emergency call and emergency costs more!! Six guys showed up in under an hour. They handed me a Proposal that I was to sign immediately. Great thing - reading!!! The proposal was nothing like what we talked about over the phone - and I was looking at $5,175.00.
I DON'T THINK SO!!
I jumped on the phone and called the owner and gave him a piece (read brick) of my mind.
In the end, all six guys were here for one hour. They reported NO roof damage, and I can't see any either. BUT, sadly, the foreman tells me he really feels as though the whole tree should come down. I wanted to just cry - I love this tree so much.
The tree is not down - yet.
It is diseased and over 60 years old.
I want to go back to my own man who I trust and talk to him some more.
My equity line took a nice hit today - but there is just too much to be grateful for to whine about that. (keep working Gini).
I feel about this tree exactly as I feel about my kitties. If I have to lose one of them - I want to know and feel that I did everything possible to save them before I make that final decision.
My man told me that this heat has contributed to the loss. Trees in severe heat reach down as far as possible for water and then shoot it out to all the limbs and branches. This made that limb very heavy. He also said that trees are crashing down all over the city and that is why he is so busy.
Thanks - to everyone - for your good thoughts and kindness. Yeah - I must have broken a mirror a while back or something :rolleyes:
Enough already!! :D
I meant to also add that the guy with the chain saw was a real MACHO MAN!!
At one point he was sawing through the major limb and just kept sawing and looked away at me................."look, lady" -at what I can do! :D
....and where are the pictures????? :p ;) :D Joking, of course...although I would love to see a hot sweaty macho man with a big tool.....Quote:
Originally Posted by gini
Sorry, don't mean to make light of the subject. I'm sure glad the roof is in good shape...that was worrying me. I'm heading home now and will check in later.
$5,000.....ha!!!!!
Gosh, I never knew that about trees. About them crashing from the heat, I mean.
I know you love the tree but if someone you trust told you it should come down ... well, it might do well to listen. It may do damage to someone or something if it falls on its own. Maybe someone could make you a keep sake from a piece of the wood or something and the rest could be used for fire wood or something else useful?
I'm so glad your guardian angels kept it up while you had the BBQ and eased it down so not to hurt anyone. Maybe next year everyone can help you plant a new tree?
(((HUGS))) for you whatever you decide!
holy RIP!
$5000 + wowza!!!
Takedowns on a sick tree are sometimes cheaper and safer than trimming on a sick tree, for what it's worth. BUT, get the opinion of the guy you know because takedowns are also easier ~ perhaps that's where the opinion was coming from (which one is faster/easier for us says the tree guy to himself). Trees on the West Coast are obviously different from East Coast trees so I can't and won't second guess :( I wish, for many reasons, Baker were here to advise :( DANG. ).
MOFF, the treeman that I trust is the one that came out first. He felt that once the limb was removed that the tree could be saved.
It was the crew of six - and that foreman that I don't know that told me the tree should come down.
I don't know him at all - and he isn't a licensed arborist - he is just a worker bee like the rest of them. So I don't trust his opinion. And I was smarting a bit over the price switch that didn't leave me too confident.
I will take a picture later today and post it of the huge "hole" that is left where the limb fell.
I cannot imagine my backyard without this tree. But, if I have to deal with it, I will - and as soon as possible get another tree to replace this one.
I just keep saying to myself, over and over - THANK GOD that this didn't happen during the BBQ and that no one was hurt.
because I am so dense I forgot that the head of the family that lives in my mom's rental is a tree trimmer.
I told my brother about G's tree and the price and he told me, "Stupid, that man (the renter) does that kind of work...."
Flog me with a noodle.
I do have a story about that tree.....
I am a little hesitant to tell it because everyone will know that I am crazy.
During the prep for the party I looked at the tree and focused on a crack that I had noticed.
I was going to tell Gini but something told me NOT to bring that up....She is a worry wart and I dodn't want to put something else on her.
On Saturday, as the sun went down, I had this real bad feeling.....
It was hot, muggy and then the wind started to pick up.,...I was looking up and saw that there was lightining off in the distance.
Fior some strange reason I was very uneasy.Why?
I don't know...While we were on the deck, I mentioned that I was going home and Gini told me that I wasn't my usual self....I guess she noticed that I was kinda antsy...
When I spoke to her on Thursday I kinda got spooked....
Now, I am not saying that I have any strange powers of anything like that, but there was somethng that made me a little uneasy that night.
Strange at that moment, but even stranger looking back on the whole event. :eek: :( :confused:
Are things getting better for you yet?
Wow....reading Richard's preminition/gut feeling is, wow, amazing!! Thank God we were safe and the tree decided to wait till Mom was in her office, so that she was safe too!
Gini, I would trust your first tree guy. I remember Sara's issues with the landscaper that wanted to tear down the jacaranda tree because it was "messy" (what a reason to kill a tree!! :mad: ). I think getting a second opinion is a good idea.
Now, its diseased? Is this something that can be healed/helped?
Keeping you, your home and everything in it in my prayers. You deserve a break, Mom!!!
Hugs, Kelly :)
Well, that depends.......my trusted tree man came this morning and after carefully looking at the tree he said that at least a third of the tree would have to be trimmed and then there was no guarantee that the fungus wouldn't continue to do its damage etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by catland
And the final option that he reluctantly recommended is that the entire tree be removed and I start again. He is so busy it will be weeks before he can get over here to remove the tree. And we are talking $$$
He left and I burst into tears......................sorry folks, I just happen to have a mad love affair with this tree.
Then my gardener who I have had for years just flipped out when he saw the tree and heard that I was going to have it removed. He practically begged me not to do it - and wants to trim the tree way back - seriously back. He said it would look absolutely awful for a while - but with treatment and care - it WOULD come back.
So there you have it - I haven't moved forward or backward - right this minute I am not sure what I am going to do.
I remember very well when the first annual BBQ at your home was being planned someone asked if you had a pool. Your reply was that no, it would have to be a pool or your tree and went on to talk about how much you loved your tree. So do we all Gini, so do we all.
I am sorry to laugh, but I have just read this entire thread from start to finish and I think that this line was just the tension breaker that I needed! :D Good one MOFF!Quote:
Originally Posted by momoffuzzyfaces
Gini I am so sorry that you might lose your tree but very relieved that no humans or felines were harmed throughout this whole ordeal. Prices in California are sure different than here on the East Coast! :eek: I can understand your feeling of not knowing which way to turn. Conflicting *takes* on the situation have to be distressing. Even if the tree was deemed unsafe it would be somewhat comforting to know that everyone was of the same mind on this. I hope that you get some peace in your heart and mind as to know what to do. (((hugs)))
We had our oak tree cut WAY back a few years ago. It looked TERRIBLE (think gigantic broccoli) but the tree was saved and it now looks better than ever.
{{hugs}}