In a rather optimistic move this afternoon I put on my jacket and hood and went out to get some photos of the fallen trees near my home. The wind was still blustery and the wind chill factor meant outdoors it was below freezing so my trip outside was very short lived.
This Silver Dollar Gum crashed to the ground across the road from our home around 8pm as the storm really took hold and somehow we heard the sound of chainsaws over the raucous din of the roaring wind. An emergency crew had been called as this large tree had fallen across the road blocking each lane.
Sometime around 1am when I had finally fallen asleep more chain saw men turned up and cut up more of this tree perhaps after the gale had moved some of the bulk out on to the road again.
This Taupata was trimmed by the City Council last year because it is on Reserve land. They had left it a rather vulnerable shape and that plus its age and the terrific winds saw it split off at the base. The remaining branch looks potentially rotten so this tree may well disappear completely. The Council might plant another native in its place on the Reserve.
This is the really sad victim of the storm. It is the large Protea tree that I posted about here.
It has been a Tui meal table for months now. I can sit and watch this tree and the activities of the Tuis.
commons.wikimedia.org
But the rain that has fallen all week has saturated the ground and that plus the top heavy shape of this tree and the violent wind has caused it to break off at ground level. I doubt that it can be recovered from here.
I note in this photo that I have captured a Tui in the tree and they are still visiting it to enjoy the nectar but it is a vastly different tree now and so sad to see.
ordinarygoodness 
How sad to see all those trees uprooted; especially the Protea. I hope your daughter got home before the worst of the storm last night.
I have loved watching the Tuis in the Protea tree and it is a vital source of food for them. I will have to hope the Bottle Brush shrubs burst forth for them.
My daughter opted to stay in town with a friend which was very wise. She got home earlier today safe and sound!
A wise daughter. Let’s hope the birds are wise and resourceful too.
Tuis are very resourceful. There is a Banksia tree next to the fallen Protea so perhaps they will visit that. The red flowering gums are still standing but I cannot see those easily.
Lynley, there has been so much damage, and it’s especially sad to see the protea tree go. You will miss it a lot.
You are right Juliet about the levels of destruction from the storm. Thankfully no one was killed. I will miss the tree and its feasting Tuis.
You really did lose a lot of trees and I am glad that everyone is safe. I hope some new trees will planted.
The sound of chainsaws dominates the air today. We live in an area with lots of trees and the damage has been widespread sadly. New Zealanders are very keen on planting trees:-)
Was a pretty wild storm, no damage up our way – but friends in Aotea had no power right up until late last night. Sad to see the Protea didn’t make it.
Love Leanne
It was wild for sure. I’m glad you and yours were safe and sound:-))
I pushed the like button, but not because I liked what happened to you. I am so sorry. I hate the destruction of trees…it takes them so long to grow!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
I know what you mean about the “like” button not explaining things! Trees down are a real loss. We are keen on trees in New Zealand and I’m sure new ones will be planted.
I am really sad about your Protea. All you can do is plant another one. Maybe meanwhile you could put out sugar-water for the tuis
Thanks. The Protea is across the road on the neighbour’s berm. I doubt she will replace it but I might be wrong. The Protea has been there for the 24 years we have lived here. I would like to put up a sugar-water feeder for the Tuis but would it blow away?
That is so sad to see, especially the Protea. I remember those photos. I hope that perhaps another one can be planted in its place.
I was really sad to see the Protea lying on the ground. I’m not sure whether our neighbour will replace it. Protea can be tricky plants to establish. We have no room in our garden.
And I don’t think our largest Kowhai tree is going to make it either and that was a Tui eating spot in spring and very close to our house. We have three other Kowhais in the back garden that have really grown since the drought (!) broke…..Fingers crossed they continue to grow.
Oh Im always so sad to see a tree die before its time. All that biodiversity wiped out in the blink of a stormy eye. That Protea tree looks like an amazing species…..what a shame it fell victim to the high winds 😦
I was so sorry to see the Protea down too. But today the owner has trimmed it right back and righted the central trunk so now we all wait to see if it sprouts and grows to feed the Tuis again. I have also spotted another Protea in her garden but the Tuis don’t seem to visit it yet…
Oh how sad! Such beautiful trees!
It is sad and I’ve just seen many many more turned into matchsticks from this storm. We are keen on trees here so people will replant where it is safe to do so.