# Killer Trees? - Link: https://www.oldhouseguy.com/killer-trees/ - Published: 2012-07-31T22:10:00-04:00 - Author: Ken Roginski Killer trees in Freehold NJ made the news with a devastating storm that came through late Saturday night.  The storm only lasted about 20 minutes with winds about 65 mph.  Many homes were crushed from falling trees. [⌊killer trees⌉⌊killer trees⌉[ [⌊killer trees in Freehold⌉⌊killer trees in Freehold⌉[ [⌊Killer trees in Freehold⌉⌊Killer trees in Freehold⌉[ [⌊Killer trees wipe out garage⌉⌊Killer trees wipe out garage⌉[ Note what was once a garage behind the trash can above. [⌊Killer trees in Freehold⌉⌊Killer trees in Freehold⌉[ [⌊Killer trees in Freehold⌉⌊Killer trees in Freehold⌉[ The photo below is the same house with branches removed. [⌊Killer trees in Freehold⌉⌊Killer trees in Freehold⌉[ As you see these trees are gigantic.  Many of them were planted by the WPA during the Great Depression.  Most of the lower branches rise above a 2 1/2 story house. I was very lucky this time.  I had absolutely NO damage. I refer to these trees as KILLER TREES because that is how a lot of residents now feel about them.  As I walked around town taking photos, I would hear so many people saying that these trees are too dangerous, the sidewalks are in bad shape from their roots, etc.  Yes, it’s so sad to see the damage these trees have caused to the numerous homes in town and my heart goes out to these homeowners. My heart also goes out to the trees.  These beautiful trees, part of history, add charm to the town.  Their large branches shade the street from the hot summer sun. Without these trees, it would be like living in a hot parking lot. These trees are NOT Killer Trees but victims of nature and global warming as the homeowners are. Maintain your trees and keep them trim and healthy and hope they can stand strong when the winds blow.  If when you walk and the sidewalk is uneven –don’t get annoyed– just learn to walk more carefully. I am writing this to hopefully ease the anger against these trees and hope there is not a mad rush after the storm to have them all chopped down for fear of the next storm. **Update:**  The town is removing close to 200 trees that are healthy but are a potential hazzard in the event of a hurricane.  Many people moved to this town because of the beautiful trees.  The town’s Shade Tree Commission will now plant ornamental trees that will instead of growing high so the leaves shade the house, will grow low so the leaves block the view of the house. ## Killer trees and my car You may think that it is easy for me to say since I was lucky enough not to have any damage.  Yes  – I lucked out this time.  But other times I did not.  Check out the photos below. [⌊Killer trees in Freehold box elder⌉⌊Killer trees in Freehold box elder⌉[ 1979 Classic Mercury Cougar Classic 1979 Mercury Cougar. Always in the garage.  Driven less than 100 miles a year.  For some reason I left it outside during this storm.  A branch from a Box Elder fell on it and crushed it.  I had a tree doctor prune and balance it out but did not remove it.  It was still a great tree.  It lasted several more years until the rest of it came down in a storm without any damage. [⌊Mercury cougar smashed by killer trees⌉⌊Mercury cougar smashed by killer trees⌉[ See how low it weighed down the car.  I was happy the white wall tires were nice and clean for this photo.  The car was restored and remains in the garage today. ## Another attack of killer trees. [⌊Killer trees in Freehold start fire⌉⌊Killer trees in Freehold start fire⌉[ Another time my neighbors tree fell onto my telephone pole which fell onto my Mulberry Tree (a replacement for the Box Elder).  The transformer caught the tree on fire. The block was without power for 3 days. [⌊Killer trees and damage⌉⌊Killer trees and damage⌉[   Note my red car under the branches and the tree across the street.  I don’t blame the tree, I blame the weather.  I still love large trees and wouldn’t have it any other way. So my best wishes go out to those who have experienced problems with their trees. Don’t be angry at the tree.  Try to imagine your neighborhood without them. When a tree is planted, it is really a gift to the next generation.           **UPDATE **to this article resulting from more devastation from Hurricane Sandy. Check out this blog – very interesting information about why all these trees are falling on wires and creating power outages.  [What Happened to the Power? ](http://witsendnj.blogspot.com/2012/11/what-happened-to-power.html)