On Sun, 23 Nov 2008 14:52:01 +1100, terryc
wrote:
snipped

As someone who has a major gum tree in the back yard, I always look
closely at tv pictures of fallen trees.

might need to look closer, most of these trees as in most cases are
trees that predate the homes they fell on. these trees where
sleectively left when the estate was created. no gum tree is suited to
be near housing. most homes are in the what you may call new catagory.

typical of what happens when those types just have to build a home
among the gum trees. like your neighbours "bad choices"

99% are inappropriate trees for the condition.
A lot are effectively planted in "pots", aka soil area too small that the
tree can not prevent itself from falling over.

how can that be in these cases and lots of cases i see wher this
damage occurs as regular as when ther are gum trees to near homes.

snipped

Except in high wind, all the branches that drop off mine drop straight
down.

Now, as to why anyone would stand downwind of any tree in high winds, who
knows.

when a storm or big blow comes the direction of the wind is out of
your control so anywhere can be down wind. you get cyclone or tornado
type storms the wind comes in all directions.

many a person has suffered various injuries to death from branches
that fall straight down, that just adds the their potential to harm.

Nor do I understand how someone (both sides) can put in a pool, then
expect me to pay thousands of dollars to cut down my tree because it puts
leaves in their pool.

another case of home owners making bad choices is all that is.

both mine are natural trees for the area and the big one ot the back
certainly predates any housing in the area.

no doubt as you say but when will it fall or do damge to property or
person?? only nature can tell ter are no iron clad guarantees. it is
not a matter of "if" it is a matter of "when".

i've seen gum's in the middle of a paddock been ther all their life,
standing straight and tall and when suits they fall over.

as much as i love gum trees forests of them they are not suited to
suburbia in any shape or form.

sadly the original poste may very well chase good money after bad
going to the legal eagles (the only real winners) and at the end of
the day after much money has been sucked up the tree will likley still
be standing. unless the neighbour owner of the tree can see sense then
they need coucnil approval, and that's another story.
With peace and brightest of blessings,

len & bev

--
"Be Content With What You Have And
May You Find Serenity and Tranquillity In
A World That You May Not Understand."

http://www.lensgarden.com.au/