topic Storm damage. in Community Spirit

Storm damage.

bluecat*dancing — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 04:52:09 GMT

Melbourne has had a couple of very stormy days. I checked for damage this morning and discovered that my beautiful gumtree has been uprooted.

Re: Storm damage.

boris1gary — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 05:24:04 GMT

Bluecat, is it very old? anything left in the ground?

Re: Storm damage.

bluecat*dancing — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 05:32:15 GMT

It was fully grown when I moved in here in 1991 and as far as I can tell, there is nothing left in the ground. It has lifted up the side fence and has partly landed on the entertainment area which I am unable to get to to check for any damage. A tree lopper is expected this afternoon to give me a quote and the insurance company will be sending a builder here within 24 - 48 hours for assessment.

Re: Storm damage.

katymatey* — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 05:32:34 GMT

Lucky though, it looks like it didn't do any damage to buildings. Gum trees are prone to falling. We had a huge one removed from the front garden ages ago. It looked sturdy, but was cracked all the way up the trunk.

Re: Storm damage.

katymatey* — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 05:33:33 GMT

Ok, some damage than. Hopefully insurance will cover everything.

Re: Storm damage.

bluecat*dancing — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 05:38:30 GMT

Fortunately, it wasn't a huge gum tree or else the damage would have been extensive. The woman from the insurance company said that they will cover the cost of half the fence replacement and possibly some of the tree removal cost. I've never made an insurance claim before so it is new territory for me.

Re: Storm damage.

boris1gary — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 05:55:22 GMT

Bluecat, sad for the tree, I was hoping something was left in the ground. Goodluck with the insurer.

Re: Storm damage.

bluecat*dancing — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 06:07:36 GMT

The tree man just left. He said that the stump is still in the ground and that they'd have to remove a section of the fence to get to it.

Re: Storm damage.

the*scarlet*pimpernel — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 06:25:59 GMT

A little branch broke off my tree last night. The tree has been weakened by great big grubs munching away inside it. They have already killed two pepper trees and I think I'll lose this one too. It's a shame, the birds love this tree.

Re: Storm damage.

the*scarlet*pimpernel — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 06:26:40 GMT

Did you hear the gumtree fall Blue? I imagine it would have made a big noise

Re: Storm damage.

bluecat*dancing — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 06:32:44 GMT

No, I didn't, Skwerl. It must have happened during the hailstorm which was pretty fierce - the hailstones were huge!

Re: Storm damage.

bluecat*dancing — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 06:34:01 GMT

Those grubs are big!

Re: Storm damage.

the*scarlet*pimpernel — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 06:35:42 GMT

hails torms are scary. I drove through one last week. The only place to stop was under gum trees. So I just kept driving and prayed the car was getting too dented.

Lucky the tree fell away from the houses.

Re: Storm damage.

the*scarlet*pimpernel — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 06:42:31 GMT

@bluecat*dancing wrote:
Those grubs are big!

those grubs are revolting, they are thicker than my thumb and about 7-8 cm's long.

I pulled that one out of the tree this morning so he's been exposed to the elements and the ants, hence his shriveled up brown look.

I got over 30 out of the pepper tree.

Re: Storm damage.

bluecat*dancing — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 06:52:13 GMT

Are they edible? Grub stew?

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bluecat*dancing — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 06:56:41 GMT

Grubs on toast?

Re: Storm damage.

the*scarlet*pimpernel — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 07:03:02 GMT

eeuwwwww

I just found another one that fell out of the limb. I'll post them to you

Re: Storm damage.

bluecat*dancing — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 07:06:44 GMT

Thanks, Skwerl. LOL

Re: Storm damage.

go-tazz — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 07:21:57 GMT

Bardi/Witchetty grubs,great for fishing,(Murray Cod love them).

They are a moth larvae/pupae and sell for around $1.50 each during the Cod season.

Re: Storm damage.

the*scarlet*pimpernel — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 07:26:59 GMT

I wish they would go and pupae in someone elses trees

I have something very similar in my garden too, they eat my carrots.