12-12-2007, 12:53 AM
I lost some thirty plus year old trees today. I guess this much ice finds weaknesses, and makes weaknesses in trees that just aren't strong enough. Both of the big losses were ashes, one a summit ash and the other a Marshal ash. OK, the emerald ash beetle would have gotten them soon enough anyway, but I hated to see them go. I saw most of the big limbs come down, and narrowly missed getting in the way a couple of times. Sort of strange to hear the cracking of limbs and the tinkle of ice all day long. Tonight the wind may do more damage. My neighbor said that this storm is the result of global warming. If there hadn't been a warm layer of air, it would have come as snow. It's the worst I've seen in my 32 years in this community. This is more of a Missouri storm which has moved a hundred miles north.
http://gallery.mac.com/jlippold#100022/PICT0003&bgcolor=black
http://gallery.mac.com/jlippold#100022/PICT0003&bgcolor=black