posted 05/04/09 10:34 PM | updated 05/04/09 11:44 PM
Views: 1085 | Comments : 1 | News, etc.

Tree falls across powerlines on Harvard, threatens home

By jseattle
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A heavy burden of wet leaves and light winds have partially uprooted a large tree from the wet soil in the planting strip and left it leaning precariously above a multimillion dollar house in the 900 block of Harvard Ave E. Power remains on in the area as city utility workers are discussing options for removing the huge tree.

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10:37PM -
10:46PM - Here's a closer look. Am told the tree is an elm and somewhere over 100 years old and more than 100 feet tall. The buckle you see at bottom of frame is the curb which has warped as the tree strains toward the wires.
11:20PM - Back home but will continue to monitor from here. Interesting scene down around Harvard but don't recommend heading out as winds pick up. Lots of creaking branches out there -- especially in a leafy part of the Hill. Prospects for saving the tree are slim but not clear what options are for removal. One possible scenario is removing the tree in sections but that work will likely wait for tonight's storm to pass. City is bringing out an arborist to help make the decision. Here is a view of the tree by daylight from Google StreetView. As you can see, it's an impressive old tree.
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11:48PM - Here's the Zillow link for the house the tree is in front of. Yes, it's a mansion. Yes, it's worth about $4 million.
2:29AM - Back at the scene. Wind and rain have picked up significantly. Talked to one of the officers stationed to block Harvard and keep people away from the tree. Decision had been made to wait until morning but officer said Seattle Department of Transportation might have to come back in tonight. With increased wind, the officer said he's seen the tree leaning more heavily onto the wires and the root ball rise even farther out of the ground. SDOT has the equipment to remove the tree if necessary though conditions at this time would make that work very dangerous. Solutions not involving cutting the tree or parts of the tree down are complicated by the inability to reach the homeowners who are out of town on vacation. Heading back home.
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tv news report
Thanks for the on-the-scene report, Justin.

Here's the video from the 11pm news on King 5.
Comment by linder seattle
May 04, 2009