Sunday, May 03, 2015 at 21:58
Stephen - YIKES! - that is one narrow escape. I find it amazing that a tree would snap off without a breath of wind, it usually takes a bit of breeze at least, for most tree types.
You didn't mention whether the tree was damaged by termites or dry rot where it snapped off.
I've found one has to be careful of trees where there is a
fork in the limbs, and the water pools at the base of the
fork, penetrates the tree and causes dry rot.
Of course, termites are always a concern - but usually, termite-ridden trees only fall over after they have been impacted by wind.
I'm convinced that being pinned by trees or branches is just in the lap of the gods.
I'm reminded of a couple of episodes I've known about, that happened around a small country town in the wheatbelt of W.A., where I was living in the 1980's.
One was; A bloke was sitting in his car watching football at the local sports oval. The oval is surrounded by dozens of magnificent Salmon Gums, and he was parked under one. There was a small amount of breeze.
Suddenly a huge limb broke off the Salmon Gum he was parked under, and it flattened the car roof over his head!
He was injured, but not too badly, and I think it was because the car roof took the brunt of the fall.
The second event was an incredible event to me. Two old bachelor farmers lived about 30 kms South of the town, and they had a private road that led only to the boundary of their property, where their front
gate was located. There was a
big tree by their front
gate.
These old blokes were in their 70's and had been on that
farm since they were born. It had been their parents
farm.
One afternoon, they came
home from a trip to town, and one of
the brothers got out of their car to open the
gate - as he'd done for probably over 65 yrs.
It was a windy, gusty day - and as he stepped in front of the car to open the
gate, the tree by the
gate fell over and landed right on top of him, pinning him to the ground and killing him almost instantly.
Talk about the tree with your name on it! You wouldn't credit that kind of bad luck - and I guess a lot of people would just say it was his fate to be nailed by that tree.
I know I take particular care to study trees when I'm in the bush and getting within reach of falling limbs. Even in the city, I'm wary of them.
There's a big Lemon-scented Gum around the corner from our house, in the side street - and I never trust it.
They are notorious for dropping limbs without a warning of any kind, and in still conditions.
One dropped a huge limb into the W.A.
Parliament House carpark about 12-18 mths ago, and it put the wind up a heap of politicians!
Cheers, Ron.
AnswerID:
553263
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Sunday, May 03, 2015 at 22:20
Sunday, May 03, 2015 at 22:20
Hi Ron
As the limb came down from about 20 feet from the bottom of the tree, I can not comment as to its condition where it let go. The section that was on the ground looked very sound, but there was a patch of dead wood in one small area.
The rest of the tree looked very sound and even when I was cutting the tree away from the car, it was sound inside with no
sign of white ant damage.
It will remain one of those un know mysteries, as we have been going to that area for countless years and only the very old dead trees are the ones that usually fall down during the windy conditions.
Fiona was very unset after it happened and she counts her lucky stars that we can now talk about it.
Thanks for your reply.
Cheers
Stephen
FollowupID:
839058
Follow Up By: Ron N - Sunday, May 03, 2015 at 22:49
Sunday, May 03, 2015 at 22:49
Yes, I could imagine that she was very upset, and probably suffering from some shock as
well.
It's very fortunate that she's survived without serious injury, and that you were out of line with the fall.
No doubt, your alertness level and tree-wariness will be
well up, anytime you venture bush in the future.
It's a shame, because camping under shady trees is what we have all done at various and multiple times - but you never know with some trees, when they are ready to let go.
Cheers, Ron.
FollowupID:
839059
Follow Up By: sweetwill - Monday, May 04, 2015 at 10:16
Monday, May 04, 2015 at 10:16
After spending a lot of time in the bush I have seen enough branches come down for no reason, and some were large ones, as others have said don't
camp under them, glad both girls are ok.
FollowupID:
839076