We moved here in 1984...
Spliced photo(s) of the neighbor's American Elm Tree
and this isn't all of it, add another 20 feet or so.
Only one foot from our lot line, this neighbor's 100 foot+ Elm has been a source of great beauty and fear. There were quite a few giant Elms in the area, apparently immune to the Dutch Elm Disease that was so rampant decades ago. We've watched most of them crack, get hit by lightening, die dropping in pieces upon anyone or thing underneath them, or were cut down.
Over fifteen years ago we offered our neighbor to split the cost of taking it down (3-4K at that time). His answer was, "That's what insurance is for." Problem is, this tree is on the west edge of the property. If it falls it hits the main power lines (south), takes out our garage and both cars, (east) or takes out our house and the back of the garage (northeast and north).
Every time there is a storm...I watch and worry. It gets so bad, I sleep in a back bedroom some nights. The squirrels haven't nested in the higher limbs for over ten years.
What does that tell you?
Maybe, squirrels are smarter than neighbors and insurance agents.
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Thank you for your cooperation,
Sandi
Well...I would be worried too...Blessings.
ReplyDeleteSandi, oh, do I ever commiserate with you. We have a very tall, very big around, very old Sequoia redwood right on our driveway line behind the kitchen and master bedroom. Not only does it drop horrible sharp (sorta like foxtails) pieces but it plugs up all our gutters and we can dig anywhere on our lot and find its roots. That might be a good thing as they spread so far it might keep it from falling. But during stormy weather I am afraid to go to bed at night. Everyone tells me I worry for naught as it has stood for probably over 80-100 years, but that doesn't help. The limbs keep getting trimmed because of electrical wires and I guess if I wait long enough there will only be one large trunk there.. As I am typing this it is thundering and lightening, so I guess there will be no sleep tonight..Have a good one..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteOh, Judy, so sorry---but it is scary. The hard part is the removal at our cost will be upwards to 5k, and we are retired, that's a huge junk of change when you have other things to do--and it isn't even OUR tree?
DeleteHope you can sleep tonight! Hugs! Sandi
Sandi, right after I commented to you a company came to trim more of the tree from the wires and you should see the ugly sight they left. I will have to post it. It looks like some giant came along and took a big bite out of it. People are really tree crazy in this area so I don't think they would even let this tree be cut down. I love trees too and know that they are so important but yet they treat this one with such disrespect. Thanks for your visit and your kind words. So far the hydrangeas are drying in the vases and still looking good. We planted a morning glory this summer but must have planted the seeds too late as it grew OK and did reach the top of the arbor but we only had about 3 blooms on it. Hope it will come back better next year..Happy Thursday..xxoJudy
DeleteSandi,
ReplyDeleteI hear you...Our neighbors that we share a porch with us are a nightmare. The original older couple that lived there were wonderful and like a second set of parents to us but they willed the house to their 3 children with the stipulation that their daughter could live there until she died. She can not pay the taxes. the utilities or for upkeep and she has a crazy daughter that lives with her too that does not like being seen by people and will only come on at night. The brothers are now working to move them out of there because their sister is ill and sell the house. We can only hope!
Thanks so much for stopping by!!
Hugs,
Deb
Oh, dear! We lived in a townhouse for 7 years, and loved the neighborhood, despite some quirky neighbors, nothing like that. I hope it all works out!
DeleteWhoa! That is a tall tree! I think I would be nervous too! Sounds like they need be good neighbors and take care of it.
ReplyDeleteYes it is---our lot is only 80 foot wide...so might take out half the other neighbors lilac trees...crazy?? Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteOh my gosh - I can't believe that was the answer! A year ago, our neighbors HUGE tree fell into our yard. Fortunately, the way it fell, it did not hit our house. If it did, it would have crashed into our family room. The weird thing is, the night it fell, I slept on a mattress in the family room because my dog had surgery that day and couldn't climb the stairs, and I didn't want her to be alone. I couldn't believe my eyes when I got up in the morning. Someone was clearly watching over me (and my dog) that night!
ReplyDeleteYes, I remember when you had that tree Fall. We've had so much rain, I worry it might just tip over rootball and all! Well, as dumb--very dumb as squirrels are, they have enough sense not to nest in that tree anymore...???? I guess I'm sort of a Farmer's Almanac kinda gal...common sense overdosed on me.
DeleteGlad you and puppy are safe!
Hi Sandi! Nice to have a visit from you. I'm so sorry you have to worry about that tree. We have nice big cottonwoods, but it's important to keep them trimmed and the limbs healthy. Even so we worry about storms too. Lets hope your neighbor's tree keeps holding up!
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a scary one...Crossing my fingers. Another large limb landed in the spruce tree, thank goodness! Thanks for the pep talk. And, some stupid squirrel did build a nest since I posted, and way up at the top....! Phew, maybe it will be okay...lol.
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