Willow Glen Resident

News

Tree branches snapped off by passing truck on Willis

By Mayra Flores De Marcotte

Stormy weather is not the only thing causing trees limbs to break. Dangling branches are another culprit.

A semi driving through Willis Avenue in the Greater Gardner neighborhood snagged an ornamental pear tree limb, causing it to snap.

The truck broke the tree and dragged the limb across an adjacent home's driveway and front lawn, with the large limb sticking halfway across the narrow street.

No one was hurt, but an Estrella Family Service Center teacher's car was damaged. The incident occurred on April 4.

"Pear trees are not very sound trees," said San Jose tree maintenance foreman Chuck Beltramo. "It doesn't take much force to break them."

Beltramo said the truck was probably only going between 5 and 10 mph before the limb became entangled on the top of the truck. The weight of the tree's new foliage and the pressure of the truck were enough to trigger the break, Beltramo said.

"If it were a different species of tree, it may have just broken a few branches."

The tree was removed four hours later by city crews.

Beltramo said homeowners can avoid these situations by keeping their street trees trimmed.