Thank God!!

[momoffuzzyfaces]

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!

[shais_mom]

holy RIP!
$5000 + wowza!!!

[lbaker]

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. ).

[gini]

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.

[RICHARD]

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.

[catland]

Are things getting better for you yet?

[NoahsMommy]

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!! ). 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

[gini]

Are things getting better for you yet?

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.

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.