Our gigantic cottonwood tree toppled during Monday night's storm here in the Denver area

[eleny]

It fell on an angle into the neighbor's yard and broke fences along the way. It pierced a small hole in their kitchen wall and munged a part of the house's overhang. It also took down a power pole that was in that backyard, yanking the power line that went over to their next door neighbor, too.

Nobody was injured. The tree was magnificent.

Here are some pics I found the news station's web site that they took from their helicopter.

This is the root ball seen in our yard. Part of our house roof is at the bottom of the picture.


This is the rest of the tree in the neighbor's yard and on their house.

[A HERETIC I AM]

1. Wow. How big were the hailstones?

[eleny]

5. The hail was no bigger than a large marble

But the storm cell formed and started to rotate moving towards the southeast through the area. There was lightning and then all of a sudden the hail started coming from the north. It came at us sideways. The wind was anywhere from 80 to 110 miles an our.

[pitohui]

2. v. nice photo

i was in my house when it was crushed by an oak tree so it brings back memories (i still have stress disorder) but have to admit i couldn't resist the click and appreciate what a nice job of photography you did -- tried to photograph my own experience but didn't do so well

SO glad no one was hurt

it's always better if it's just a fun story to tell...

[eleny]

6. Thanks and I"m so sorry that you went through an actual crash

The photos are from the news stations web site. I just screen captured them and cropped.

[Maru Kitteh]

3. So sorry to hear about your wonderful tree. I LOVE my cottonwoods.

Not nearly as grand as yours, but the sound of those waxy leaves in a cool breeze, there's nothing like it.

[eleny]

8. Cottonwoods are glorious grandma-like trees

They house lots of wildlife and sound so soothing. We still have one more left and our tree guy says she's in good shape, so we'll keep her. :hug:

[Sal Minella]

11. Soothing, because the gentle clicking of the leaves in a breeze sounds

somewhat like a lot of knitting needles at work? That sound is incredibly peaceful, and I don't know how to describe it for someone who hasn't heard it.

Cottonwoods just radiate a friendly, peaceful atmosphere.

[Maru Kitteh]

14. I always thought it sounded like gentle water in a playful brook.

Did I mention I really love cottonwoods?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. What a terrible loss...

Losing a tree that size is a real loss to the neighborhood...

No shade, no place for the kids to play...

A place where a lot of neighborhood history took place is gone.

I'm so sorry to see this.

I'm glad nobody was hurt.

[eleny]

9. Thank you, sweetie

She was such a refuge. I'd sit under her and next to the irrigation ditch flowing. I'll miss that reading & thinking spot.

[babylonsister]

7. Holy mackeral! My husband was telling me just today about these

storms. The results look like you had a hurricane. Glad everyone is okay.

[eleny]

10. Thanks, hon

It was a furious storm cell. We don't get stuff like that right up next to the mountains like this. Not until Monday night, that is.

[malaise]

12. WOW

Heartbreaking to lose such a beautiful tree - glad no one was hurt.

[eleny]

16. Me, too! Just a lot of scared people all over the region

But things are settling down a little today. The ones most busy around the area are roofers, repair guys and tree services!

[MazeRat7]

13. While Cottonwoods are magnificant, they are not really "stable" trees.....

Down here in south central Texas, the last thing you want on your property is a Cottonwood. Oh yes they are magnificent along the streams and creeks, but while they are considered a "hard wood" tree (part of the popular family) they are extremely brittle and prone to being uprooted by high winds. Branches fall (dead fall) at the most unexpected times.

In spite of all that I love those trees. I love the sound they make as the wind moves through them, I love the shade they provide in the summer, and the the barren majesty of the void branches in the winter.

So sorry to hear you lost such a magnificent specimen hopefully you will replace it with something more "native" to your region.

Peace,
MZr7

[eleny]

15. The "native" trees are cottonwoods and elms - both shallow rooted

I think what happened here is that we had lots of snow this winter and right into spring. Then we had so much spring rain this year, more than longtime Colorado residents ever remember. So the ground was over saturated and those shallow roots didn't have the best grasp.

We're not going to replace this tree. Two years ago we had 7 new trees planted out front, fruit trees and a maple. In the triangle of ground where the cottonwood tree sat, we're going to clear it and create a patio with flower planters around the perimeter. Just something completely different. But who knows, hubby could change his mind and plant a new tree. He's the most bummed about losing this one.

Thanks so much for your thoughts. I know you mean very well and offer good advice.

[MazeRat7]

41. I think your right about the snow and all...

Glad to hear you have others to nurture. Still, from your pics, that was a beautiful tree. Saw one this morning on the way to work and thought about you all and your loss.

I wish you all well.

Peace,
MZr7

[Stinky The Clown]

17. I'm glad there were no injuries.

And you're right. That was a magnificent tree.

[eleny]

22. I don't think there were any injuries in the whole region due to this storm

We just got our cable/phone and internet back this afternoon. But so far, we haven't heard of anyone suffering personal injury.

[Brigid]

18. My condo development has a huge old English Oak tree in the yard.

The Vigo County Historical Society even looks after it. I will be heartbroken if it ever goes. :(

[eleny]

23. I've dreaded this for over 30 years

But I'm working to make peace with what happened. So far, so good.

[abbeyco]

19. YIKES!

In SE Denver we just got heavy rain and a tornado warning.

I hope you and your neighbors are safe and now have power - I know it's been a while getting Xcel to get all of the power back.

Anything you need from a fellow DUer?

abbeyco

[eleny]

24. Thanks abbeyco!

I was surprised when Xcel showed up first. They got here in the early afternoon and got the area up and running. Today, they're working on our tree to get it cleared away from where they have to work to get our neighbors a new power pole.

Your good thoughts feel good!

[abbeyco]

34. I'm glad you're in good shape, then

But I know others might not have the same fortune you've had, Xcel and everything; I know it was a horrible storm.

If there's anyone that needs a hand, please PM me as I can contribute a few bux toward someone who needs it.

Glad you're safe!

[eleny]

36. You're a dear!

:hug:

[madamesilverspurs]

20. And up the road

in Greeley we got some thunder and a few sprinkles. Glad all are okay where you are. I was in Lakewood last week taking pics of my childhood neighborhood, and was amazed at all the trees; it was brand new when we moved in there, no big trees at all. . .

[eleny]

25. Where did you grow up in Lakewood?

We're just east of Kipling and south of Crown Hill Lake. An older neighborhood by Colorado standards. Our house was built in '48.

[madamesilverspurs]

29. Meadowlark Hills,

just south of the shopping center at 6th and Garrison. That center was new, too; it had a creamery where we'd go after school, sit at the counter and have a drink served in one of those paper cones in a metal holder. Mmmmm, cherry phosphate!

[eleny]

30. My credit union is in the Meadowlark shopping center

Someone once told me that it was the first shopping center of its kind in the Denver area. I wish that creamery was still there!

[madamesilverspurs]

31. I noticed that credit union.

It used to be a drug store, and my mother worked there part-time. On the day JFK was killed, I walked home from LHS when school was dismissed early, and stopped in that store to see Mom. She wanted to know why I wasn't in school; turns out they hadn't heard the news. Her boss took one of the new radios off the shelf and plugged it in, and we all stood there crying.

[eleny]

32. I felt like I was right there with you

You described your day so clearly. I guess we remember it crystal clear.

[madamesilverspurs]

33. Maybe you can check me on this...

I seem to remember a section of Kipling that was unpaved and had a good hill where we'd go sledding in the winter; my older brother also remembers sledding on Kipling, others say it had to be some other street because it was paved and busy even back then (mid 1950s).

[eleny]

35. I moved here in 1976 - but paved or not, Kipling is hilly

A friend came out from NYC to visit and she's a runner. When she came back to the house after her first run she said that everywhere from our house is downhill. So on the way back it's a killer.

There's a huge hill going north from 32 Ave. From 32nd Ave to 38th ave. It would be a very wild sleigh ride. Very!

[Paladin]

21. That Was One Brutal Storm; Glad You're OK. (n/t)

[eleny]

27. Sure was! Thanks for the good wishes

:hi:

[Synicus Maximus]

26. Bummer

[eleny]

28. That's the word, for sure

[donheld]

37. I'm so Sorry

I drove up 38th tuesday through Wheat Ridge. Unbelievable.

[eleny]

39. We haven't been too far from the house

We tried going up Kipling on an errand the other day but it was rush hour and jammed from 32nd all the way to I-70. We went back home.

I feel so sorry for the people with the house that got split in two. I think it's up on Robb St.

[Liberal_in_LA]

38. wow. RIP tree. Glad no one was hurt

[eleny]

40. Oh, me too! Incredible that all are okay everywhere

The landscape people said they could be here Tuesday morning to get the tree out. I want to take pics of that.

It was so odd to be standing next to what was the top of the tree so I took a small branch from there to keep.

we learned that due to all the rain we had this spring, trees grew about a third more than they normally would. So the canopies of trees are heavier.