Thursday, June 16, 2011

My Old Mighty Oak Tree

My big Oak looming in the Winter sky.

Always the last to bloom.




See the large branch-that was the lowest branch. I don't even know how far into the yard the tree has gone, and it took other smaller trees with it.

How lucky are we that it didn't hit the house...I don't want to think about that.

When we were house hunting many years ago, my priority was a private, tree filled yard. One where even though we lived in suburbia, I could feel like I was on vacation in the Adirondack Mountains. We found that yard, with many Oaks and Maples surrounding it, just perfect to me. But, the other night while I was reading in bed I heard a strange, loud crackling-a sound I have heard before. It lasted at least a minute. Suddenly, feeling like I was in slow motion, I began kicking off the covers to run to the other side of the house where my kids were in the living room. The reason being, there is a huge Oak next to our bedrooms! I called to my husband, and then ran out to see the tree. Nothing was there, but dust was floating around the garage spotlight, so I knew something had happened. As, I looked up to the back yard, there was a hole in the night sky-the biggest Oak in the yard was no longer there! I felt dizzy-what did it hit? Well, we are sooo lucky-the tree missed anything of value-the family,the dog, the house, the pool. This is actually the second tree to fall in our yard. The last one took part of the screened porch and patio. I love the big, old trees, but sometimes when I'm floating in the pool, looking up at the trees, I  wonder if or when they will fall. We have had two others removed that were large also. I really don't want to cut any down if I don't have to. I'm gonna miss that old tree. But at least I don't have to worry about that one any more. Next step-the estimates and removal...eeek.

4 comments:

Olga Poltava said...

Wow, what a story! I like big old trees too, especially oaks, but safety comes first. I'm glad your tree didn't damage anything valuable.
Have a nice and safe weekend!

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

It's hard to see a big beautiful tree like that fall. We had to cut down a huge oak tree a couple of months ago & I was sad. We hired someone to take it down...but we still have to cut it up and remove it. I was sure the other big oak tree next to it was going to lose a large limb, but these guys were so good, they took it down with just a small scrape and only a couple of very small trees were taken down with it. So glad your big oak didn't fall on your house!

Georgianna said...

Wow! I had NO idea that could happen so suddenly. I love old oaks, too, but we are surrounded by tall evergreens. I'm very glad you are all safe and had no damage. It's very sad when a tree goes, though, isn't it?

Happy weekend!

Sunny Simple Life said...

Thank God you are all okay but how sad to lose such a wonderful old tree. I hate to see any tree go down. I just love them too.