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Tree strikes house, power pole down on Vine Street

By Billie Owens

A tree and a utility pole have blown over and onto a house at 3 Vine St. in the City of Batavia. The pole has a transformer on it and it's leaning across the roadway. National Grid is on scene. City fire dispatched.

UPDATE 11:05: City fire back in service. National Grid is handling the situation.

UPDATE 11:08 a.m.: A city code enforcement officer is called to the scene regarding the tree fallen onto the house, presumably to address safety concerns.

UPDATE (by Howard): Duane Pruston, a local landlord, said he bought 3 Vine St. just a few weeks ago. He was inside finishing up work for new tenants (he just rented it) when he walked outside, heard a crack and looked over and saw the tree falling into the house. He said wires were flying everywhere and paint crews working in a bucket next door were lucky, Pruston said, that they weren't struck by wires.

UPDATE: Frank Capuano submitted the two photos below:

Doug Yeomans

They're soooo messy. I had two in my lawn and was ever so glad to get rid of one of them. They're a very weak tree and they get HUGE very quickly. They usually come down in storms and cause a lot of damage. They should never be planted near any structures.

Apr 28, 2011, 1:14pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

"The Trees" by RUSH

There is unrest in the forest
There is trouble with the trees
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas

The trouble with the maples
(And they're quite convinced they're right)
They say the oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light
But the oaks can't help their feelings
If they like the way they're made
And they wonder why the maples
Can't be happy in their shade

There is trouble in the forest
And the creatures all have fled
As the maples scream 'Oppression!'
And the oaks just shake their heads

So the maples formed a union
And demanded equal rights
'The oaks are just too greedy
We will make them give us light'
Now there's no more oak oppression
For they passed a noble law
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe and saw

Apr 28, 2011, 1:14pm Permalink
Doug Yeomans

Yep, C.M., they're great along creek banks. I just hated the mess every year. Even the Catalpa trees aren't a problem compared to willows.

Apr 28, 2011, 1:44pm Permalink

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