YOU HAVE NOT PLUMMETED down a rabbit hole, dear readers.
I turned my camera until the tree was “growing straight.”
But you are viewing an ash tree that, if growing straight and tall, would make your world appear off kilter.
This tree, a block from my house on Tower Place in Faribault, worries me. The laws of gravity and the forces of nature tell me this ash is destined to topple right onto the street.
The ash looms over Tower Place.
I can only hope this does not occur when:
A) A motorist is passing under the ash.
B) A child is walking home from school.
C) Someone is walking/his her dog
D) A walker is out for a walk.
E) All of the above.
Arborist types out there, is there genuine reason for concern, especially given the recent heavy rainfall which has left the soil saturated?
© Copyright 2013 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I have no clue if there is danger or not but I do know I would be walking on the other side of the street……very quickly!
I keep hearing on the media that a lot of trees have fallen recently because the ground is so saturated that it can no longer hold the trees. And I believe that, given some of the photos I have seen of toppled trees simply tipped over, their visible roots encased in great chunks of soil. We drive under this tree all the time.
I would probably have to walk on the other side of the street, just to be safe, although it looks like the power lines may catch it on the way down, so depending on how far the lines get pulled down, I could be electrocuted. Yikes
You never miss a thing, do you, Jackie?
Someone just handed me an article titled “Is Your Tree Going to Fall Over?” this morning. I’d say, according to the article and from what I can see, there is cause for concern. Since it appears to be a boulevard tree, maybe the City forester would take a look at it?
Now, what a coincidence is that, huh? Hmmmm, a city forester. Probably do not have one in Faribault. But I expect someone at city hall could direct me to the proper person. Or I could just walk up the hill and talk to the residents who live on this property. They are new. Welcome to the neighborhood, and by the way…
I have to agree with you in if I owned the property I would be contacting the city or an arborist. The one property we owned had a huge elm tree. I contacted the city about getting it tested and possible treated for Dutch Elm Disease – the city paid for it all – nothing out of my pocket – pays to ask. Happy Thursday:)
Fantastic that you got your city to pay for testing and treatment of a tree. I cannot imagine that happening in my community.
Wow! I think I would keep my eyes on it as I walked with Jackie!!!! or, maybe, around the block to avoid the whole situation!!
Hey, Doreen, have you checked out Jackie’s blog at “Who will make me laugh?” Here’s the link: http://jackie000.blogspot.com/
She lives in southeastern Minnesota, too, closer to you than to me. I know you will enjoy her posts. Jackie is quite the talented photographer.
Yup, she lives in Rochester. Have added her to my “Reader”!!! Another new friend!!! Yippee! Hugs…..
You will love Jackie. She helped my son create an apartment shopping list when he was looking for a place in Rochester.
This is so interesting. Your blog has brought so many of us into common relationship!!!!
And isn’t it wonderful, this circle of blogger friendships?
Yes it is and we really do live close enough to “pull off” a real-time meeting! Will have to pray about that, hmmm?
I think they should kiss that “Ash” goodbye! Bad enough to watch for crazed motorists driving down city streets too fast, but a tree would be death if fallen on a pedestrian! With the ground so wet, trees are falling down everywhere. Our neighbors tree uprooted and crashed down, and it was a healthy looking, straight standing tree. I pray that nobody gets hurt by this leaning Ash Tree!
Allan, how do you manage to come up with those injections of humor? You have a gift.
Interesting to hear about your neighbor’s tree. I totally agree that this ash up the street from me should be taken down before it falls down.