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What to do when the winds of change in West Lafayette deal you a mess with your West Lafayette home.

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana

microburst = MACRO DAMAGE

It was almost a week ago that West Lafayette experienced a microburst  from  a  storm  literally out of nowhere that led to MACRO damage in the city. 

Wind speeds were clocked at over 80 mph and damage was sudden and swift to structures and trees.

The West Lafayette High School softball field visitors dugout was absolutely flattened, and its concrete blocks scattered like Leggo blocks.  (pictured to the left)

Entire backyard fences with 6 x 6 inch posts were flattened with the posts snapped at the bottom like matchsticks.

Thousands of trees were uprooted, trunks snapped off, and limbs shredded or broken.  It was a BIG MESS!!!!

Thankfully, no one was injured!

 

 

  

WHAT A MESS!!!!!!!!

Sharon had a vacant listing in West Lafayette with a  large silver maple, walnut, and a neighboring Bradford pear tree.  In case your botany degree is gathering dust these are very messy trees susceptible to wind damage!

Guess what I have been doing the last several days?  I know, some of you will say I was foolish and that the owner should have hired someone regardless that he is over 800 miles away.

When a client needs help we help them!  That is the way we do business, and at this point my opportunity costs are quite low so it was time to play lumberjack!

CLEAN UP TIPS

Disclaimer:  The author had a bacon strip(uncooked) sized chainsaw wound to his belly as a college student when cutting down trees.  YOU MAY WANT TO HIRE THE WORK DONE BY A PROFESSIONAL!    ^_~

 

Being an Al Bundy type of guy, which means I played high school football and I can do anything, I proceeded over to our listed house(without a chainsaw mind you!)with  pruning shears and a small handsaw.  That's it!

Here is how I filled up an industrial sized truck waste container filled with the back yard debris that was kindly left by the City of West Lafayette on the street:

1.  Trim the smaller branches with the pruning shears.

2.  When you have an  armful of brush take it to the curb, or in my case,  the waste container that was provided.

3.  Once all the smaller limbs have been removed use your handsaw(or if you are NOT an accident waiting to happen like myself, a chainsaw is faster!) and cut the limbs or tree trunk into the largest pieces allowed for debris removal.

 

DON'T LET THE LAST STEP STUMP YOU!!!

1.  If you have a smaller tree that you have to cut down or  where the wind  snapped it off completely(on the left) do not cut the tree at the base by the ground unless you want to spend more money on the stump removal.

2.  Cut the tree off about five feet from the ground.

3.  Use a shovel to remove dirt around the base of the tree, then use pruning sheers or a small hand saw to cut the roots. 

4.  Using the leverage of the five foot trunk start to rock the trunk back and forth.  Continue to dig and remove roots and the rocking action will snap the trunk out of the ground.  I have been able to do this with tree trunks over a foot in diameter.  (but remember I played high school football!!!   ^_~ )

5.  Backfill the hole with dirt and plant grass seed or it may become a nice spot for flowers in a container with mulch around it.

Remember to check for power lines and don't take any chances.  I have managed to avoid electrocution!

Call the utilities if you are going to remove the tree trunk as cable TV and phone lines can be near the surface by the house or utility box.

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Looking for a home in Lafayette, West Lafayette, Tippecanoe County or the surrounding area?

I would love the opportunity to help you realize your dream of home ownership, or finding that investment property that is right for you.  I am committed to quality service and will work hard representing your interests.

 

 

Comments (47)

1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

It's a good thing that you know how to handle a chainsaw.  Don has a couple that he uses when necessary, but they are too big and noisy for me.  I'm thinking of a very small electric one to play with, just for me. :)

Jul 25, 2010 11:03 AM
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Judi, I actually prefer to use a handsaw and pruning shears on trees/trunks/branches under a foot in diameter.  It takes longer, but I still have memories of my belly saying "hello" to that three foot McCulloch chainsaw blade.  I will use a chainsaw on larger trees when I have to. 

Hopefully you aren't getting one to cut down any of your fruit trees!

Jul 25, 2010 12:11 PM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Bruce, I saw a microburst lift the roof off our neighbor's barn and hurle the pieces of metal into the air..it was very scary!  I'm glad to hear no one was injured in Lafayette, it sounds like you had a huge macro-burst!  The power of the wind is amazing as is the power of an ex-football player with a handsaw :-)

Jul 25, 2010 05:27 PM
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Hi Mary, it was very scary seeing the damage after it was over.  It was concentrated in a very small area where it hit.  We were about three miles away and the wind didn't seem to be blowing that bad.  Our first home was right in the middle of it all and the damage went on both sides of our former home(Sharon's dad owns it now as a rental). 

I want to stay in one piece so the handsaw works just fine!  ^_~

 

Jul 25, 2010 05:34 PM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Thank goodness no one was hurt!  How nice of you to help out!  Thank goodness that went without injury!  LOL

Jul 27, 2010 09:43 AM
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Sharon spent several hours on Monday cleaning up a condo she is going to put on the market for an out of town couple and applying her staging touch to it as well.  We do what it takes to get the job done.  We washed windows and cleaned on Sunday as well.

Thanks for your concern, Debra.  I am OK as long as I stay clear of a chainsaw!

(I may even tell you about when I held a bullet over the stove as a 12 year old someday!)

Jul 27, 2010 12:01 PM
Ann Hayden 636-399-7544
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties-St. Louis Missouri - Des Peres, MO
SelectAnn.com

Bruce,

We had a wind sheer and it took out about 12 trees and the pool....

Ann Hayden in Wildwood, MO

Jul 27, 2010 04:48 PM
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Ann, was this on your property or in Wildwood?

Jul 27, 2010 05:22 PM
Laurie Mindnich
Centennial, CO

Bruce- what a great team you and your wife are. I remember being in my mid 20's as a single parent to a very young child, and having the tree in my front yard get hit by lightning and split. It was so upsetting to look at it. A very kind neighbor removed the tree while I was at work (it seemed overwhelming, and we were all in tough $ times back then)- I'll never forget the kindness. Your sellers likely feel the same.

Jul 28, 2010 12:51 AM
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Hi Laurie, you are so right that storm damage creates a feeling of helplessness and despair.  It is just too overwhelming to look at sometimes! 

One of my best friends gave me a call about two years ago this time of the summer to take out two large trees(over three feet in diameter) from a severe windstorm for his pastor who was away on vacation.  We used to live down the street from this wonderful family so it was a no brainer to help and give them a pleasant surprise on their return from Colorado.  It was very tricky and hard work and it took three days to get everything all cleaned up.

It has been a very special memory because I found out a month after cutting wood together that my friend had pancreatic cancer and he died within 10 months.  You just never know.

Jul 28, 2010 01:43 AM
Susan Mangigian
RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA
Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

Nothing causes more damage than Mother Nature in a bad mood.  We've had a few trees down over the years and it's a big job.  In our case, it's a job best left to professionals.  I only have to look at a sharp instrument to cut myself!

Jul 28, 2010 04:49 AM
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

It is very humbling what the forces of nature can do to structures made by mankind.  Look what happened to that dam out in Iowa that burst just the other day.  Trusted professionals are certainly the choice when one isn't up to handling the leftover debris, Susan.

Jul 28, 2010 05:21 AM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Bruce I have a chainsaw story for you.  I was about 13 I think.  One of my relatives was using one and was sweaty so they lost their grip.  When they tried to get a better grip, they grabbed it quickly and it came up and sliced through their head.  Just missed their eye and just missed their brain.  They were lucky to have lived.  What an unbelieveable accident.  I was right there too. 

Jul 28, 2010 12:21 PM
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Debra, I have a healthy respect for chainsaws after having a bacon strip size  wound on my belly from one.  Your relative is very fortunate to be all in one piece after his accident.  The Good Lord has watched over me many times!

Jul 28, 2010 03:37 PM
Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate
M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Bruce, Oh my goodness this looks like it was terrible for all involved. I feel guilty, as I was out on a cruise ship in your time of distress.  Wow!   And to get injured by a chainsaw to boot, you sure didn't need that, did you?  I hope that some sense of normalcy has come to the area in this period of time. My heart goes out to all of you.

Aug 03, 2010 10:49 AM
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Sandy, the homeowners, tree trimmers,  and street crews have worked very hard to get everything all cleaned up.  I just drove by the area where the trees were snapped off at the trunks and the last tree pictured in my post has now been cut right to the ground level. 

My chainsaw accident was when I was just starting college.  If it had happened last week it might have worked for the good-a poor man's "tummy tuck"!     ^_~

Thank you very much for your concern, Sandy!

 

Aug 03, 2010 12:20 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Hey Bruce this is great advice, a few years back we had a huge tree collapse on our garage and that cost a pretty  penny..ouch. Then I had a tree over my room so we did the wise thing and cut it down to prevent any further damage..good idea because soon we had another big storm and the wind was very heavy and strong...thanks for sharing :)

Aug 05, 2010 11:29 PM
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Laura, thanks for your own story as it adds so much to the thread!  Some trees are very susceptible to storm damage(silver maple, Bradford pear, ash, etc) so it is important to keep them properly pruned or have professionals do the job if one is not comfortable doing so.

An ounce of prevention. . . . . .

Aug 06, 2010 03:19 AM
Shanna Hall
Real Estate Solutions - Kirkwood, MO
I love selling houses!!!St. Louis, MO 314-703-1311

Bruce- there is no way you will ever find me taking down a tree!  But I have to say that I am impressed that you did!!!  I liked the way you wrote the blog too!

Jan 15, 2014 06:02 AM
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Shanna, it took several days to clean up the wind damage on the listing since the seller was over 800 miles away and moved out of the home.  It had its dangerous moments as a thick eight inch in diameter limb also landed on me when I took it down.  It was a gamble of investing the time as the seller would NOT hire the work or lower the list price, and the house did go into foreclosure and we lost the listing.  We help our sellers to the max, but sometimes if they do not cooperate with the market we can't help them.  Sometimes it's chicken; sometimes it's feathers!

Jan 16, 2014 01:27 AM