A new attempt to cut down a 22-meter-high redwood tree in Veenhuizen has failed for the third time. The strong wind makes it unsafe to cut down the tree.
A 22-meter-high sequoia hangs diagonally, somewhat menacingly, from Jan Meester’s garden above the neighbors’ garden. It has been in this spot for about 36 years. Master planted it himself as a meter high blade, then nature did its work and the tree grew into an imposing eye-catcher which towers above all the trees in the area. But with gusts of wind becoming more frequent, there is a fear that the tree might one day blow over and then it wouldn’t just fall into the neighbor’s garden. Their home is also in danger.
Master stands looking at his tree, somewhat mournfully. “I thought three times would be a charm, but that doesn’t work in this case. I actually don’t want to lose the tree, but the risk is too great. This tree does not have very deep roots and in a strong southwest wind it can fall on our houses.” end up. Then you have to stay sober.”
A sequoia is known in the Netherlands as the giant sequoia and is the fastest growing tree in the world. It can live to be a thousand years old and a hundred meters high. This giant is mainly found in the American state of California. There are ones that cars can drive through. Master: “We once went to look there ourselves. Six of us tried to embrace one of those trees. We came up with a third.”
Because it had to be demolished, the owner wanted to give it to the municipality of Assen. It should be there as a Christmas tree on Koopmansplein in December. The traffic controllers were ready to take down the giant shortly after Sinterklaas, but the landscaping company then came to the conclusion that the tree was too heavy to cut down. As it fell, the tree would drag the crane holding the tree with it.
Last month, another attempt was made to fell the giant. This time he would not be taken down whole, but sawn into pieces. This time the weight of the giant sequoia is not in the way of the felling, but the weather gods. A strong wind makes the job too dangerous.
“I would personally prefer to see the tree remain standing,” says the 95-year-old Meester, who is nevertheless disappointed. “But he has to go and that’s why I’d rather he go as soon as possible.”
A new date for the hood has not yet been scheduled.