Jill Nadison was in the kitchen of her home at 6 Inwood Terrace, with her neighbor Nancy, around 8 p.m. last night, when Nancy started screaming. Just a few feet away, in the family room, located at the rear of the house and where the Nadisons spend most of their time, a huge tree branch had come through the roof, decimating the room and leaving a monster tangle of branches in the backyard. The massive chunk of tree came from a neighboring backyard — from a tree residents of the street had been watching sway all day, wondering if it would come down. Part of it did and became a dangerous projectile, but fortunately Nadison and her family were unharmed.
It wasn’t the only tree that came down on this pretty street off Inwood Ave. Another family who live in the house on the corner of Inwood Ave. and Inwood Terrace had a huge tree crash through their white fence onto their driveway, blocking access to cars and wreaking havoc on the patio. There were more downed trees and branches all along the street — and residents say all the trees came down after Hurricane Irene had passed over the area.
So many neighbors came out to see what was going on and survey damage that the group assembled resembled a block party gathering, says resident John Schmitt, who took a video of the tree just before it snapped and hit 6 Inwood Terrace. Schmitt said everyone was helping each other and checking in after the first tree came down around 2 p.m. in the afternoon yesterday. When the third came down at 4:30 a.m. last night, it woke up residents of this street who already had seen a fair amount of damage. Fortunately, no one was hurt on the block and residents tell Baristanet that they have power and are offering each other cars to borrow and other support for those affected by Irene.
Thank God no one got hurt.
Gentle used pink couch for sale. (Sorry, I use humor in times of tragedy.)
Had the chance to meet the really nice people on this block making the best of a bad situation. Reminds of why I love Montclair.
This is incredible. You always think that someone the house will protect you, but maybe not. Glad this didn’t skewer anyone.
somehow, i meant…
Let’s all remember that photo when the Fried/Africk Shade Tree Ordinance takes effect. You’ll have to ask permission from the township to remove your own trees from your own property. And should the township decide your fears are unfounded, you’ll be denied.
Imagine the law suits if a township certified tree then falls! I’d certainly sue the crap out of them.
Wow! Glad those folks weren’t hurt.
ROc, isnt that an act of god and beyond the scope of suing?
Let’s just say Jimmy, If I have to ask permission to remove a tree I feel endangers my house or family, and the township denies my because in their estimation there is no danger. And then later the tree does indeed fall on my house or injure someone. You better believe I’m suing.
If the township is going to take the responsibility for determining which trees are safe and which are not away from private property holders, then the township will have to take responsibility for the consequences.
If my neighbor informs me that in their opinion one of my trees is a danger to their property in a storm and I don’t do anything about it, an “act of God” doesn’t take me off the hook.
Never mind the good people of Inwood Terrace and their unfortunate circumstances. We should all, instead, be concerned and angry about our individual rights being taken away in an imagined scenario. I am comforted, however, by my right to sue in this imagined scenario. You better believe it.
If you deem a tree a danger to your family, cut it down. If you wait for a tragedy; the fault is your own.
If a tree falls in ROC’s yard and Mayor Fried doesn’t hear it…
“If you deem a tree a danger to your family, cut it down. If you wait for a tragedy; the fault is your own.”
Sure I agree. But if Fried and Africk have their way you’ll be breaking the law if you have not obtained the permission of the township to remove your own tree. And, you know, the Tree Czar might disagree. Especially if the tree’s diameter “makes” it “historic”.
The “Tree Czar!” That makes my blood boil! Who do these people think they are?!?
The trees around Edgemont Park were soaked and swaying after the Hurricane. A line of cars were parked in front of the Edgemont School around 4:00pm Sunday, suddenly a huge limb fell and hit a car. Many people were in the area because of the open playground no one was hurt one car was totaled. It does make one wonder about safety during other times as well. Hard decisions to be made. Those beautiful old trees around Edgemont Park are an issue and have been so in the past.
Green,
Montclair had declared a State of Emergency.
“Tree Czar”,I like that one ROC.
I guess that means the Planning Department is run by the “Zoning Czar”, and the fire department is run by the “Flame Czar”.
In Green’s defense, I will say that almost every time there is some sort of storm (or even at times when there is none at all), I end up seeing a large branch or two down at Edgemeont. Even before there was word of a hurricane, I had wondered if the town ever has someone inspect the trees for dead limbs etc.
ROC, speaking of “Czars”, you might want to see if you can get Eric Cantor and his crew of Tea Partiers to save a spot for you on their next cravenly political airplane flight to the Holy Land. Perhaps you and Eric can arrange for a meeting with the Chief Rabbis of Israel.
But ROC, don’t call them the “Cheeseburger Czars”, or even the “Circumcision Czars”. That would be rude and inopportune.
Raeven,
Edgemont is literally & figuratively a walk in the park. On the other hand, go to Mills Reservation on a mild breeze of a day and it’s like playing lawn darts with 6′ limbs. There are so many trees down that, if you get hurt, it could take 45 mins to get any kind of help. The Mills family put it in the deed that the County had to leave it in its natural state. Edgemont is another story. I think we can surgically remove the old growth trees near the paths and the playing fields. I always thought off street parking would be a better use of the stand of trees near the playground.
It would be a shame to get rid of the trees. Trees are a big part of a park. Not to mention the trees are the one area of the park that the geese don’t crap all over. It would, however, be prudent for someone to remove dead/dying limbs in order to avoid any accidents. Obviously the town has plenty on its hands right now, but doing so before winter when the limbs will become weighted down w snow would be a good idea.
My sympathies to the family with the tree in their family room.
Having many large trees around my house, this was one of the nightmare scenarios that kept me up almost all night during Irene. I suppose this is why we should heed the advice to resist the urge to do walkabouts and drive-abouts in the immediate aftermath of such a storm since it may take a bit of time for weakened trees and limbs to finally give way.
I’m happy to hear that no one was in the room at the time. I suppose the silver lining was that it didn’t come down while it was still raining, which would have ruined all those books. Roofs can be repaired, but books are priceless!
Holy Cow! Look at the size of that rafter beam hanging in the living room -seems like it’s a 4×12 or something! and the dang thing snapped right off at the ridge!
unless that’s the Tree, with its bark all scaled off (looks rough-hewn).
Scary stuff indeed.
Can I get the town to come out and look at the slumlord neighbor’s trees and make him do something about them, before they destroy my house?
Or as I think RoC told me before, do I just wait for the inevitable, call my insurance company, let them pay for they may or may not cover, then have to sue the neighbor for the rest of it? not a happy thought.
I have a friend whose basement was filled with 40″ of water, with 3 sumps running, but I guess since the water had nowhere to go it just came right back in.
“Can I get the town to come out and look at the slumlord neighbor’s trees and make him do something about them, before they destroy my house?”
I believe you can cut anything hanging over your property. (confirm that).
If you think one of his trees could fall over and be a danger you should speak to the land lord immediately and send a certified letter (return receipt) notifying him of the perceived danger and asking for access for an inspection by a tree expert.
If you get the stonewall treatment, talk to a lawyer.
Thank you, RoC.
The edge of Edgemont Park now has “Emergency no parking” signs on the trees. The town knows there trees have been and are an issue- beyond the Hurricane. People should heed the signs and not park there- everyone is parking there still.
Also, we went out in the late afternoon we had no internet or cable and unfortunately, couldn’t figure out what was going on if the Hurricane was over or what. It is true, people were walking around people were out and there was an assumption that things had passed for many. That said, now reading Baristanet- had I had internet connection- I wouldn’t have been out. Still think the trees around Edgemont Park are unfortunately still an issue, and obviously the town thinks so too. Again, park goers- heed the very visible signs on the trees that have now been posted- it isn’t just for “Clean up”. I suspect some of those trees will be tagged to be removed and we should not complain about it- if if this happens-this would happen for good reason.
Maybe it was just my phone, but did anyone get an Emergency Alert notice from the Township?
Dear All:
I want to clarify a few tree items:
1) Residents should always report suspect tree conditions on neighboring properties. These can be investigated by myself or another NJ Certified Tree Expert and conclusions reported to the Township Code Enforcement office for action. Only dead, uprooted, or otherwise structually deficient trees require action.
2) Adjoining neighbors may prune any growth over their property line that comes from an adjoining tree IF such work is a) done to Industry Standards, and b) does not cause detriment to the tree/plant. You may not just cut something back to the fence…has to be done correctly.
3) Per ROC, a letter of notice to a property owner from a neighbor bears almost no weight in court, unless the author is a NJ CTE. Evalaution of condition of a tree must come from a NJ Certified Tree Expert OR ISA Certified Arborist. After a storm, everyone’s neighbor’s tree is a ‘hazard’ to them!
If you have specific questions my Montclair office number is 973-509-4912.
Stephen Schuckman
Township Forester
NJ CTE #512
“3) Per ROC, a letter of notice to a property owner from a neighbor bears almost no weight in court, unless the author is a NJ CTE. Evalaution of condition of a tree must come from a NJ Certified Tree Expert OR ISA Certified Arborist. After a storm, everyone’s neighbor’s tree is a ‘hazard’ to them!”
Point of clarification. I was suggesting a certified letter requesting access for someone to inspect the tree. Not as evidence of a tree’s hazard. If the neighbor ignores your request, the letter might very much “carry weight” about the negligence and disregard of the neighbor in any future suit.
Neither myself nor Mr. Schuckman (I believe) are lawyers, so check with your lawyer.