Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Thank You, Chicken Little

When a tree on our street began dropping large, random branches, we called the city. While we await the inspector's visit, the neighbor girls and I are concerned about what happens when the next branch falls. So we got out the markers and construction paper.

I don't think it was the sign above that warned off these neighbors because it's on the wrong side of the tree for them to see.


They crossed the street in time to be out of harm's way. It might have been this sign that warned them.


 
Or maybe it was these dire warnings, which they saw on their approach.

For help with city-owned trees on your block, call Pasadena's Urban Forestry division at Parks and Natural Resources, 744-4321.


Update: 

A crew of great guys came out within 48 hours of my phone call. They removed the branches that had come down and mulched them on the spot. They told us they don't park their cars under trees when the weather gets hot like it's been lately. Any tree, not just a liquid ambar, can drop a branch. The guys said they'd send an inspector out, just to make sure there were no other problems with the tree.

My neighbor (whose daughters made the signs) asked the crew what to do about a branch dangling over her driveway; it had been damaged by a truck and it threatened to come down. They sent a man up in the cherry-picker and snip-snip! Problem solved.

Wonderful work, gentlemen! Thank you.

26 comments:

dive said...

… but first, call Petrea and her neighbour girls.
What a wonderfully entertaining and informative public service you all provide, Petrea.

Adele said...

Last weekend, a squirrel dropped a pinecone on our tent in Sequoia. It went straight through the rainfly, and through the tent, and bounced around inside, getting sap all everything. My fondest wish is that you and the girls had been in Sequoia ahead of me, issuing dire warnings, and saving my tent and my hates-sticky-stuff sanity...

Lisa said...

Said Rachael, "I saw Petrea taking pictures of my signs. Do you think she is going to post them on her blog?"

Shell Sherree said...

What a sweet title for this post! You and the girls did a marvellous job.

Anita Davison said...

You added a smile to my breakfast this morning Petrea - thank you.

Kalei's Best Friend said...

The last two signs sums it up well!.

Susan Campisi said...

This made me laugh: "... a branch might fall on your head." I love the direct simplicity. What's causing the branches to fall? Do you think it's the drought? Or is that me being Chicken Little?

Ann Erdman said...

In addition to calling Parks and Natural Resources, I would suggest logging this onto the city's online Citizen Service Center, where any type of issue can be reported. That way it is immediately tracked through channels. Wouldn't hurt to double dip! www.cityofpasadena.net/csc (there's also an app for that!).

Petrea Burchard said...

I have very fine neighbors. Lisa, you saved me sending you the link, which was on this morning's agenda. I hope the girls are proud of their signs. They are a service to our community.

I don't know what's wrong with the tree, Susan. The one dropping branches (a sycamore, maybe?) looks fine, but in the past ten days two or more relatively large branches have fallen from the heights, seemingly out of the blue. The first time it happened a car was damaged. I don't want to see that happen to a person.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks, Ann, I'll do that.

Bellis said...

I love those posters. It should almost be possible to deduce the age of the children that made them. I'm guessing one of them is only 3? Hope the tree is all right. Perhaps it's just too hot and is shedding some clothes?

Desiree said...

I love civic duty in a young person.

LOLfromPasa said...

I love it! With my luck, I would probably have to walk up close to read the signs (no glasses) and bingo - head, branch, mine :). Lovely collection.

Petrea Burchard said...

Bellis, our trees were inspected recently and one had a sign on it for removal, but it was the tree next to this one. Perhaps an error? I don't know.

Me too, Desiree. The girls were very anxious to protect folks who walk by. This was all their idea.

LOL, I had to walk under the trees to take the pictures, and I admit I was a bit nervous. We're not kidding here, that car was pretty scratched up and a person would fare worse.

Anonymous said...

I absolutely adore this. From the title to "A branch might fall on your head." Although maybe it should say, "If you're close enough to read this, a branch might fall on your head."

Kalei's Best Friend said...

@Petrea: could the tree be decayed on the inside?

Bellis said...

Sycamores can lose branches when the leaves get too heavy. I've seen it happen in the Arroyo. And the other tree may be depriving it of water. Let us know what the Urban Foresters say. Be a shame to lose it.

Bellis said...

But looking again at your photos, it's not a sycamore, duh! Could be a liquidambar, which also drop branches.

Petrea Burchard said...

Good point, Hiker.

Could be, KBF, though Bellis is right, it's a liquidambar (saw the little spiky things this afternoon). These branches aren't huge, but large enough to damage a car and/or a human. There's currently an orange cone out there but I'm surprised the city hasn't gotten to it faster, it's a liability.

BettyS said...

Oh, dear - if I can brave the heat tonight I'll have to walk the doggies over for a look. I love the signs kids make!

Ms M said...

Love this post and the wonderful warning signs! (The "NO" sign is particularly intriguing.) I hope the city "tree doctors" come soon.

Petrea Burchard said...

I hope you got a chance to see it, Betty.

Ms. M, I think the cone means the inspector was already out. It looks like some branches may have been moved. And they left our signs in place!

BettyS said...

I did come by. The signs are precious! Of course, I was enjoying them so much, I stood right in the danger zone. I'm glad the city guys left them in place.

Petrea Burchard said...

Me too. I think they've been very effective, as there've been no injuries.

I also want to mention that I don't think a person's age can be determined by their drawing style. If that's the case, I am seven years old.

TheChieftess said...

Now that's community action!!!

Petrea Burchard said...

A crew came out yesterday. I've updated the post. When the weather is hot, I suggest you watch for falling branches.