The Fall of the Merlin Tree

High winds are not kind to tall trees. We came home the other day to find no power to the house, and a man walking on the garage roof. A wind gust (or a series of them) had broken off one of the three tall shoots of spruce. Down it came, and the power line with it. The tip embedded itself in the back yard, and the base leaned gently against the side of the house, missing everything breakable on the way, other than the powerline.

We consulted an arborist, who decided the other two leaders were at risk of coming down soon. A crack had formed between them, opening wider with each gust. So, down it came. The tree people took away most of the rubble, but left us the main trunks for firewood. Not sure if we can bear to burn it!

We lost about half the height of the tree - it is no longer taller than the house. The lower branches still shade the back yard, so we kept it for now. It opens up the yard to more sun. (This is me trying to see the bright side of disaster!)

We will definitely have no more Merlins now.