Norwegian Wood

March really did come in like a lion. March 2 brought a strong nor'easter, snow to New England, and Big Wind to Maryland. I woke around three in the morning to the beginning of the roaring, but turned over and went back to sleep. I woke later to be bemused by the news the government offices were closed due to the wind - a snowless snow day, the only one this year I think. As it turns out, I wasn't planning to be at work anyway - I had a doctor's appointment, and a lot of annoying administrative things to take care of. So through the wind off to the doctor's office, which was open and functioning. Before I left to come home, however, the phone rang with my helpful across the street neighbor, "I thought you'd like to know your big pine tree came down".

As it turns out, it was my last remaining Norway spruce, a real specimen tree. But in some form of a miracle, it just hit a glancing blow to the roof and gutter. No wires, entirely on my property, a bear to get taken out, but in the words of my stoic Norwegian people, "It's not so bad. It coulda been worse."  It will be thousands to remove - but because it is not on my house, it is likely insurance will not pay to have it removed. Coulda been worse - it could actually be on my house.

Welcome Home, Me!

Look at the size of the roots! and the hole!

Rocky is ready to get going.

Aerial View - it totally fills the yard

I think I'll need all new gutters and downspouts

Implements of self-help

I continue to wonder how it actually missed the house

Seventy feet long, more than 2' diameter

Grazed the house, no broken windows

From the other end of the yard

Need gutters, will have roof inspected, but the house seems fine.

Will open up new gardening opportunities

Me and my tree. I've made my peace with it.