Tree just fell on Parker by CHS

.

Yikes! Hope nobody was near that thing.

It's easy to forget that can happen pretty much any time.

did it make a sound when it fell?

tjohn said:
did it make a sound when it fell?

 Too soon.

Please take the whole tree down.  I watched the branch fall down as I was driving up Prospect toward Academy.  Upon looking at the tree after checking to see if anyone had gotten hurt, where the branch met the trunk, the whole joint was rotted out.  I shudder to think what might've happened if were driving 5 miles an hour faster on my ride home.

I don't know if the town has blocked off the perimeter under the branches but if not, I recommend you don't walk or drive under.

To clarify, it wasn't a tree - it was a tree-sized branch of the giant, diseased tree pictured above.  Quite dangerous. 

That looks like the tree in front of my house.  The one I reported to the town a year ago. 

FWIW, I would not walk or drive under that tree...

The whole area is still pretty full of giant aging trees, some of which should probably be taken down for safety. Some people hate it when old trees are removed, but the fact is our neighborhoods were built 80-120 years ago and dainty saplings from back then are reaching the end of their lifespans.

Since that tree is in Maplewood, I think the property owners need to apply for a permit which entails sending a certified letter to every adjoining property owner advising them of their intent to remove the tree. I think the neighbors can object. It also costs thousands of dollars to remove a tree of that size (been there done that would rather have used the money for vacation) which is not always tenable for the property owner.

That tree is probably on the town's right of way so the town would remove it at no cost to the property owner.  Not sure how they handle the stump removal.  

mikescott said:
That tree is probably on the town's right of way so the town would remove it at no cost to the property owner.  Not sure how they handle the stump removal.  

 Interesting. I would think at most they would just come from back the branches that hang over the street. But I will take your word for it.

Nooooooo (my son is named Parker).

Based on the picture, it looks to me like the tree is on the property owner's side of the sidewalk. Isn't it her (nan's) responsibility?

That tree is definitely the homeowner's responsibility.

The Google Maps view. I don't think that's a town tree.

I believe the town's right of way extends 10 feet from the curb so it's still possible it is a town tree, someone would actually have to measure.  There was a tree in front of my folks's house on Maplewood Ave that fell on the house during hurricane Irene, at my dad's prodding (he was on the planning board for years) the town determined it was indeed theirs and removed it for free, including grinding out the stump.

elvis said:
The Google Maps view. I don't think that's a town tree.

 From the photo, the utility poles don't look in too good a shape either.

So much internal rot.  Needs to be felled.

mrincredible said:

Since that tree is in Maplewood, I think the property owners need to apply for a permit which entails sending a certified letter to every adjoining property owner advising them of their intent to remove the tree. I think the neighbors can object. It also costs thousands of dollars to remove a tree of that size (been there done that would rather have used the money for vacation) which is not always tenable for the property owner.

This is wrong information.  I went through this with a tree on my property...the permit takes 15 minutes to get and costs $25.  The tree either belongs to the town OR the homeowner. From my memory, if it's in the apron then the town pays. If its not (or maybe 10 feet of the curb) then it's the owners responsibility.  If it's the homeowner, they DO NOT need  neighbor's permission and it makes no difference what the neighbors want (unless they want to inform the neighbors out of courtesy).   Get the license by going down to the building by the Boyden dump which is where to get them. In the case of a hazard like this it should be a non issue. As for the cost to remove it, yes its thousands....  If you own a home, you need to be prepared to pay the thousands it will cost. If not, then charge it. I don't care about vacations---- you can always earn the money back and take a vacation later. A life is not replaceable. On a typical weekday, hundreds of people walk/drive where that tree fell.     

HoBo I guess they changed the law. Years ago while living in Maplewood we got such a letter from a neighbor. She told us she was legally required to send them in order to get the permit. 

According to the current ordinance:  If the tree is beyond a certain diameter and on your property, the town needs to inspect the tree and determine that it should be removed prior to issuing a permit.  

Does the town inspect for decayed or dying trees?

Formerlyjerseyjack said:
Does the town inspect for decayed or dying trees?

 They are supposed to, I think.  From a Facebook discussion I learned that if you have a town tree that looks rotted you should call the town and report it.  I did that for the one in front of my house, but it's still there.  Maybe they checked it out and thought it was OK.  They don't give you a report.

mrincredible said:
HoBo I guess they changed the law. Years ago while living in Maplewood we got such a letter from a neighbor. She told us she was legally required to send them in order to get the permit. 

 Permits were not required years ago.  This ordinance is only a few years old.

yahooyahoo said:

mrincredible said:
HoBo I guess they changed the law. Years ago while living in Maplewood we got such a letter from a neighbor. She told us she was legally required to send them in order to get the permit. 

 Permits were not required years ago.  This ordinance is only a few years old.

 You don't appear to know what you're talking about. I moved from Maplewood to South Orange five years ago, and she removed the trees a few years before that. She was required to get a permit.

Okay, the tree permit ordinance was passed in 2009.

https://ecode360.com/10634689

It looks like the neighbor notification requirement was repealed in 2012.

you're right, mrincredible.  I had trees removed in 2010 and needed to send notices via certified mail to my neighbors prior to getting permits.  Glad that was repealed.

bklyngirl said:
you're right, mrincredible.  

 My three favorite words.