They had just been 20m away from this giant oak tree picking berries when a huge branch had suddenly dropped from the tree. Luckily far enough away from it to not get hurt but close enough to scare them! This sudden branch drop is quite common during times of drought with broad leaf trees.
So my brother (a tree surgeon) came over on Saturday to make it safe - a fair bit was held up in the tree.
When I first saw it seeing the tree was like being punched in the gut. These trees really make this place and I hate to see things like this happen to them. It's altered the shape of this tree so much.
There was a fair amount of wood from these branches - I'd imagine enough for a winter or more when seasoned. Luckily he brought his skid steer with him, which made moving it all a lot easier! We still have the brash to deal with but that will have to wait for another day!
A real downside is my brother thinks really we might have to due a huge crown reduction. The tree is hollow and seems to have a fair bit of fungus so needs a bit of work to keep it in a condition where it will continue to last.
Anyone else was experience this with old oak trees dropping branches during drought?
Here in the north of New Zealand we had a huge Quercus Ilex. One still day we were indoors and the house shook as a third of the tree came crashing down. I had been standing underneath it about 20 minutes earlier. We tried to find someone with a portable mill but eventually gave up and cut it into blocks for the fire. A couple of weeks later we advertised a stove for sale and the man who came to buy it looked at the timber and said I have a portable mill and could have milled it for you but it was too late then.
ReplyDeleteI looked at the timber on this, but branch wood doesn't make great wood for funiture. This is just firewood but it does feel a shame.
DeleteWhat a scare for your children.
ReplyDeleteBut what a lovely lot of wood for your fire although sad to see the end of such a huge tree
Yes, quite funnny looking back as I thought "what have they done!" bless them!
DeleteHi Kev
ReplyDeleteYes, last summer,we had some 'lumberjacks' working one day ,removing a few trees that needed cutting. They had worked for 2 days really hard and had worked late clearing it all. It was dark when they finished. As they prepared to leave,there was an almighty crash,which they recognised the sound of,they kindly investigated. The big oak,between our field and the next, had lost a large couple of branches. We need to go and clear it out,its laid there long enough !
I don't like trees being cut down, but they are also healthy,they are growing fast.
Kathy
I'm the same, didn't want to see these trees being cut but looks like that's what might have to happen now to keep them longer. What timing for you to loose the branches when they guys were there!
DeleteSo glad your wee ones are safe. How handy to have a tree surgeon in the family!
ReplyDeleteHere in North Carolina, we have oaks that actually uproot and fall over from too much rainfall.
Yeah, works well having a tree surgeon, but he takes advantage of the fact I'm a carpenter as well!
DeleteKev, they come down at my parent's place once in a while. For us, it is not so much drought as it is rot or insect infestations (which, to be fair, can be caused by drouth), or high winds. Glad your kids were far enough away. And yes, that will make some amazing firewood. It is a great deal of what my parents burn for winter (also used to make excellent smoked brisket!).
ReplyDeleteWe had one drop a few years ago, straight onto a pile of gates I was waiting to hang. Oak is such a good fire wood - I'm looking forward to having some easy long burning fires to keep us warm!
DeleteGlad the children are ok. We had a huge Cockspur, looked like something out of a fairy tale. Spotted a little bit of bracket fungus. The tree surgeons advised felling it, I sadly watched as the healthy limbs where removed, even they where worried that the advice was wrong, they struggled getting the chainsaw through the trunk until part way through. The inside of the trunk was like wet sawdust. Trees are quite a responsibility but worth it.
ReplyDeleteI worry about how hollow this one is, you can see a good 4ft into the middle of it at the bottom and it has some fungus. Be such a shame to loose it, so hopefully a crown reduction might help keep it.
DeleteWe too had the same thing happen here in central France ten days ago. Drought conditions here as well. The huge oak branch fell where I often park my car in the shade. If I had left it there that day it would have been a write off. Now sawn up for firewood for winter 2021/2. Helen in France.
ReplyDeleteAt least we can make use of it I guess! Feels good to have lots of wood saved up for another winter.
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