Thomas Jolly knew it was only a matter of time. He’s been concerned about the grand oak tree hanging over his home in the Seminole Heights area since he moved in six years ago.
He’s complained to the city of Tampa, but he contends nothing has been done until now.
On Sunday night a huge limb from the tree came crashing down on his home on East North Bay Street, damaging the west side of the structure.
He wasn’t home at the time, but his wife and son were.
No one was hurt.
His wife called him with the frightening news.
“She called and said, ‘the tree hit the house,'” said Jolly. “We’ve been trying to get this tree took down for years.”
The tree is considered protected by the city. And to make matters more difficult, it’s on his next door neighbor’s property. So, he can have the tree trimmed, but he can’t petition to have it removed.
In 2013, a city arborist rated that the tree is a 10 out of 12 in the risk category for damaging structure and the condition of the tree was a C-, with A being excellent and F being dead.
The arborist commented that, “if the owner of the tree wants to apply for a tree removal permit, we will approve with proper good neighbor notice.”
Since that report, the home has changed hands and Jolly hopes in light of what happened on Sunday, the new owner will consider having it taken down. The property owner is currently out of state and wasn’t available for comment.
“That’s right over my son’s bedroom. Just a little bit further over, it would’ve been right on his bed,” said Jolly.
“I’m scared it’s gonna fall. And it’s going to come through the house and it’s gonna kill somebody.”
