The wind howled through the day on Sunday. It didn't seem to be as strong as predicted, but it was strong enough to snap one of our birch trees. I was looking out the window when it happened. All of a sudden, the uppermost branches of one the trees came down. I heard no noise at all. Three of the biggest branches hit the fence on the north side of our property. The fence is seventeen years old.
When we have some better weather, I'll get out there with the chainsaw and cut the branches so I can get them off the fence. Later, I'll probably cut them into firewood. As for the fence, I won't know what it will need to be repaired until I can get a closer look.
If the damage is not too bad, I may be able to repair it myself. Otherwise, it will be a job for our garden contractor. The posts look like they're still upright and ok. I'll have to check to make sure the footings are still firmly in the ground.
It's been a heck of a year for our trees. In October a year ago, the big apple came down. Its trunk was hollow and we knew it would fall sooner or later. It did. We took out a smaller sickly apple at the same time. Then, this past February, we had our big spruce removed. It, too, was dying and it was too close to the house not to take preemptive action. Another birch by the driveway has died and it's scheduled to come out in the next month or so. Half of our hazelnut trees have died over the past two years; they'll be removed at the same time as the driveway birch. And now this birch. Not to mention the two plum trees that blew over in the storm of 2010.
The garden guy says that many old trees are being killed by the hot, dry summers we're having lately. They just aren't strong enough to take the stress. We'll need to contact our insurance company to see if the repair is covered by our policy. Happy New Year!
A Happy New Year to you too, Walt - and to your hubby, to Tasha and Bert also - and a BETTER 2021 to everyone all round.
ReplyDeleteWell, at least it was just the fence. But it looks like the fence had held up like new until then. Sad about all your trees.
ReplyDeleteIf it is any consolation, Silver Birch are a shortlived tree of 20 to 30 years as a healthy specimen.... then they begin to rot unpredictably.... to see a fifty year old tree is quite rare and a close inspection usually shows signs of pollarding or pruning.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and Ken.
Happy 2021 to you!
ReplyDeleteBirch trees are beautiful. So sad.
ReplyDeleteYes, that is sad about all of those trees. Just glad there has been no house damage.
ReplyDeleteJudy
Rather amazing you were watching as the birch branches cracked and fell - especially since noise was not involved. In my neighborhood, there was good news about property insurance paying for tree damage as a result of a big windstorm. My friend got an entirely new custom-made (no longer available so this was the only choice) stove pipe for his fireplace as well as payment to have a large tree taken down. I'll keep my fingers crossed you can benefit as well.
ReplyDeleteGlad there was no other damage. Birch trees tend to be pretty fragile. But cheer up, you can use the bark to make a canoe! A nice winter project, no?
ReplyDeleteraybeard, thank you!
ReplyDeletemitch, the fence is, no, was, is very good shape. I hope the repair isn't too difficult.
tim, we've read similar things on the internet.
chm, merci !
bettyann, yes, sad to see them go, but it's inevitable.
judy, me too!
mary, we shall see.
emm, a canoe! Never thought of that... lol
I remember from fairy-lore Birch trees are associated with a particular sprite none too nice who likes to wreck havoc on people through birch branch shenanigans
ReplyDeleteI'm sad thinking about your birch trees dying. Will you replace them with something different?
ReplyDelete