I’m homeless after tree I warned about for 30 years fell through roof
A GREAT-GRANDFATHER who fought to have a dangerous tree felled for more than 30 years is furious – after it crashed into his house during Storm Erik.
Melvin Toon, 68, made “countless” calls to the council about the tree after moving into the threebedroom property in 1985.
He said: “When there was a high wind we could see the branches bending.
“I always thought that one day that tree is going to come down.’’
The council said the chestnut tree was protected under a preservation order but Mr Toon said it did not have enough space for roots to make it stable.
During Storm Erik, winds of 50mph brought the 40ft tree down on to Mr Toon’s house in Bulwell, Nottingham, causing an estimated £20,000 of damage and ruining possessions worth £2,000.
He said: “The whole room shook and it was drenched with thick, black dust.
“I don’t have insurance. We have a lot of memories in that house.”
The tree fell through the roof into a room where his son Paul, 40, had been staying just days before the drama.
“I urged my son to move rooms four days before this,” said Mr Toon. “He’d have been killed.”
Ex-serviceman Mr Toon added: “Countless times I have rung the council up. Someone should have said the tree is dangerous. It must have been rotting for a period of time for it to snap like that.”
He added: “It’s in a neighbour’s garden. I never would have thought it would have fallen into my side. It will take six months to a year to repair. It has been devastating.”
Delroy Beverley, at Nottingham City Homes, which manages the property on behalf of the council, said: “We offered Mr Toon and his family alternative temporary accommodation over the weekend, however they have elected to stay with relatives for the time being.
“We intend to work with Mr Toon to ensure he and his family have somewhere to stay while works to the property are carried out.”