MARJIE DUCEY
Omaha World-Herald
Check out a look at the roots of an 82-year-old tree that fell during a thunderstorm in Omaha.
OMAHA -- It was the one tree the residents in a Dundee neighborhood thought would never fall.
The huge oak, estimated by homeowner Charlie Agulla to be between 100- to 150-feet tall, silently toppled in last Saturday morning's hurricane-force winds.
"I didn't even know it happened, and I was awake," Agulla said.
It was the lone oak and a landmark on a block with silver maples that everyone thought would tumble first.
When the old oak fell, it decimated a huge pine tree and a redbud tree, spreading across the Agullas' front yard and their neighbor's driveway.
Lots of people have been driving by and looking at the house. "The first three or four days it was like Berkshire weekend," homeowner Charlie Agulla said.
MARJIE DUCEY, WORLD-HERALD
Agulla said it's become all he and his family talk about, and a stop on what he calls the "tree-damage tour" in the hard-hit neighborhood. People tell them that they feel bad about gawking, he said, but it's an unbelievable sight.
New lesbian-owned lounge opening in Lincoln hopes to foster 'authentic' atmosphere
Nebraska principal placed on administrative leave
WWE star Hulk Hogan promoting beer’s introduction to Nebraska
No. 2 Nebraska volleyball wins 13th straight match; No. 1 Pittsburgh falls to SMU
Papillion dog, who loved pears and a select few, euthanized after tough life
Winter outlook not favorable to drought relief in Nebraska
Grand Island, the largest high school in Nebraska, cancels girls varsity basketball season
Hulk Hogan, WWE Hall of Famer, visits Lincoln to promote new beer
Cover Five: Is the running back carousel sustainable? And, Nebraska not closing book on Merritt
Lincoln couple dies in Grand Canyon accident
Rare, 'very, very bright' comet expected to make an appearance for Midlanders
Amie Just: How Nebraska volleyball beat Purdue on a night the Boilers had it rolling
Lincoln Journal Star 2024 Election Voter's Guide: Local candidates on the issues
After tumultuous upbringing in Nebraska, new state IT head hired to 'be a change agent'
Large wildfire in northern Lancaster County prompts evacuations
The roots of the tree alone stretch 10 feet high and 23 feet across. At first glance, it looks like a wall of green carpet topped by a row of bushes.
"The first three or four days it was like Berkshire weekend," said Agulla, who lives about a block from Warren Buffett. "Their jaws just dropped."
Omahan Karen Wittler drove by twice on her way home from a dinner engagement and couldn't believe how huge the tree must have been. Most of it has already been trimmed away.
"I don't even know how to describe it. It's like half their yard,'' she said. "I've seen trees uprooted, but I've never seen such a big one."
Superior Tree Services removed the damaged, smaller trees on Agulla's property first and is now tackling the main trunk of the oak, which measures about 3 feet around.
Superior owner Nolan Millar said the tree, which was 82 years old, is one of the larger trees his company has been working on this week. He's been swamped with calls and is also doing work for the Nebraska Humane Society and Fontenelle Forest.
"This is an oak tree, and oak trees are notorious for being extremely durable. They are so strong and just a breed of their own," he said. "The fact that this one blew over was real surprising. The driveway was completely unfazed, which was real surprising."
Millar said the roots of a tree can sometimes stretch three times as wide as the tree's canopy. He said this one fell because it had an insufficient root system.
Agulla said it's going to cost between $6,000 to $10,000 to clean up the trees and repair a flattened retaining wall.
He's thankful that the massive oak didn't drop on the house where he and wife, Adrianne, and their three children have lived for 15 years.
"This was the luckiest fall I've ever seen," he said. "It was a very thoughtful pin oak."
Photos: July 2021 storm leaves swath of damage across Omaha
A tree fell on a house near 45th and Mayberry Streets after an overnight storm on Saturday.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
An Omaha Public Power District vehicle drives past a car damaged by a fallen tree during storms in July.
ANNA REED, WORLD-HERALD
Courtney Hudson, 42, of Omaha, gets his hair cut by Mark Nelson, the owner of Another Level Barbershop, outside the shop during a power outage after a severe thunderstorm overnight. Photographed at 64th and Maple Streets in Omaha on Saturday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Courtney Hudson, 42, of Omaha, gets his hair cut by Mark Nelson, the owner of Another Level Barbershop, outside the shop during a power outage after a severe thunderstorm overnight. Photographed at 64th and Maple Streets in Omaha on Saturday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
A tree branch hangs in wires after an overnight storm caused wind damage in Omaha on Saturday, July 10.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
A broken windshield from a fallen tree near 63rd and Maple Streets.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
A tree fell on a house near 45th and Mayberry Streets during an overnight storm on Saturday, July 10.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Nick King cleans up tree branches out of 45th Street, south of Marcy Street after an overnight storm on Saturday.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Nick King cleans up tree branches out of 45th Street, south of Marcy Street after an overnight storm on Saturday.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
A tree landed on a car near 31st Street and Layafette Avenue after an overnight storm on Saturday.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
A tree landed on a car near 31st Street and Lafayette Avenue in a storm on Saturday, July 10.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
A tree landed on a car near 31st Street and Lafayette Avenue during the storm.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
A tree fell into the street near 32nd Street and Layafette Avenue after an overnight storm on Saturday.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
A tree fell and brought down power lines near 32nd Street and Layafette Avenue after an overnight storm on Saturday.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
A downed tree is seen in Miller Park in North Omaha on Saturday.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Storm damage is seen in a workout area of Miller Park in North Omaha on Saturday.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Tree branches partially cover roads through Miller Park in North Omaha on Saturday.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Tree branches cover walking trails through Miller Park in North Omaha on Saturday.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
The trunk of a large tree is seen broken at Miller Park in North Omaha on Saturday.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
A large tree covers Kansas Avenue in North Omaha on Saturday.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
A tree landed on a car in downtown Omaha during the windstorm that hit the metro area July 10. The storm caused extensive damage, but no one was killed or seriously injured. That was likely due to the storm occurring overnight.
HENRY CORDES, THE WORLD-HERALD
Clean up is underway across Omaha after early morning storms.
Large parts of downed trees are a common site across Omaha on Saturday.Â
A broken tree trunk is seen in Miller Park in North Omaha on Saturday.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Courtney Hudson, 42, of Omaha gets his hair cut by owner Mark Nelson outside Another Level Barbershop during a power outage Saturday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Tree branches block the road at the intersection of Chicago Street and Happy Hollow Boulevard in Omaha on Saturday.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Police cars block 60th Street as crew work to break down and remove trees in Omaha on Saturday.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
A large tree leans over John and Jennifer Bertino's house on 60th Street in Omaha on Saturday.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Phil Rossi, right, and Rob Molony help neighbors cut tree branches near 60th and Mason Streets in Omaha on Saturday.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Residents near 60th and Mason Streets pulled trees to the end of the intersection to block cars from driving under a downed powerline on July 10.
LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD
John Bertino blows sawdust out of the street after neighbors help clear downed branches on Mason Street in Omaha on Saturday.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
A severe thunderstorm rolls through North Omaha on Saturday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
A severe thunderstorm rolls through North Omaha on Saturday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
A power pole that split can be seen near 45th and Mayberry Streets after an over night storm on Saturday.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
A power pole that split can be seen near 45th and Mayberry Streets after an over night storm on Saturday.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Sara Smith walks her dog Ellie south on 45th Street towards Poppleton Avenue next to a trampoline that blew out of a neighboring yard and appeared to have hit a power line before coming to rest on a speed bump after an overnight storm caused power outages and tree damage in the area on Saturday.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
A car drives south on 45th Street towards Poppleton Avenue next to a trampoline that blew out of a neighboring yard and appeared to have hit a power line before coming to rest on a speed bump after an overnight storm caused power outages and tree damage in the area on Saturday.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
A large tree limb fell on Woolworth Avenue near the Field Club Golf Course after an overnight storm on Saturday.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
The top of a structure blew off of 2602 O street in Omaha after a storm blew threw overnight and caused widespread power outages on Saturday.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Zachary Urwin of Catholic Cemeteries cleans up tree debris from St. Mary's cemetery in South Omaha after an overnight windstorm caused major tree damage on Saturday.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Tree debris rests near a headstone at St. Mary's cemetery in South Omaha after an overnight windstorm caused major tree damage on Saturday.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Roof tiles were blown off of St Mary's Catholic Church's roof at 2539 Q Street after an overnight storm on Saturday.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
A tree sits on Dodge Street near 66th Street as traffic was blocked both ways at the UNO's northeast and northwest entries. on Saturday.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
OPPD works to restore power on Dodge Street near UNO on Saturday.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Metal is wrapped around a headstone at St. Mary's cemetery in South Omaha after an overnight windstorm caused major tree damage on Saturday.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Tree debris rests near a headstone at St. Mary's cemetery in South Omaha after an overnight windstorm caused major tree damage on Saturday.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Tree debris knocked over a headstone at St. Mary's cemetery in South Omaha after an overnight windstorm caused major tree damage on Saturday.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Justin Willey uses heavy machinery to remove downed trees near his Ponca Hills property on Tuesday.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Mike Jerina mows his lawn while carrying a chainsaw and hauling downed branches he cleared from his Ponca Hills home on Tuesday.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
James Moyle, left, and Frank Arch sit in a shelter at Miller Park next to a pile of tree debris on Tuesday. They were dressed as flies for an event in the park by Mandela Elementary. A storm over the weekend damaged thousands of trees and knocked out power in the Omaha area.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Justin Willey uses heavy machinery to remove downed trees near his Ponca Hills property on Tuesday.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
A 96-gallon cart is filled completely with yard waste. City collection of larger storm debris will begin Friday and continue through July 23.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
A worker in a city truck picks up yard waste bags while an FCC worker picks up the 96-gallon trash cart on Tuesday. The city is having to find a way to collect all the tree debris after a weekend storm.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Large logs cut from a downed tree set on Rainwood Road near North 30th Avenue on Tuesday.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
James Moyle, left, and Frank Arch sit in a shelter at Miller Park next to a pile of tree debris on Tuesday. They were dressed as flies for an event in the park by Mandela Elementary. A storm over the weekend damaged thousands of trees and knocked out power in the Omaha area.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Frank Arch runs through Miller Park next to a pile of tree debris on Tuesday. He were dressed as a fly for an event in the park by Mandela Elementary. A storm over the weekend damaged thousands of trees and knocked out power in the Omaha area.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Steve Hamilton has been living in his his front yard, photographed on Tuesday. A massive weekend storm left him without power. Hamilton was stuck in house as downed powerlines stretched across his driveway at a heigh of a few feet, preventing him from driving to anywhere. His RV was prepared for a trip that was canceled because of the storm.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Steve Hamilton points to his RV that he has been living in parked in his front yard on Tuesday. A massive weekend storm left him without power. Hamilton was stuck in house as downed powerlines stretched across his driveway at a heigh of a few feet, preventing him from driving to anywhere. His RV was prepared for a trip that was canceled because of the storm.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
A large tree lies broken in Elmwood Park on Monday. "Larger trees are more susceptible to storm damage because of their sheer size," Omaha Parks Director Matt Kalcevich said.
LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD
Broken tree branches line a closed road in Elmwood Park on Monday.
LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD
A large tree felled in Elmwood Park. Parks Director Matt Kalcevich said some of the downed trees at Elmwood will take several days to remove because they are so big.
LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD
The remainder of a tree stump in Elmwood Park on Monday. Some of the larger trees could take days to remove.
LILY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
City workers clear out tree debris in Elmwood Park on Monday. The golf course also is closed.
LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD
A city worker clears fallen tree branches in Elmwood Park on Monday.
LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD
City of Omaha workers clear tree debris in Elmwood Park on Monday.
LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD
A City of Omaha worker loads trucks with downed tree branches in Elmwood Park on Monday. The midtown park is closed because of tree damage. So is Elmwood Golf Course, but crews are working to have the links open by the weekend, if not sooner.
LILY SMITH PHOTOS, THE WORLD-HERALD
A city worker rakes tree debris in Elmwood Park on Monday.
LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD
City of Omaha crews work to remove a fallen silver maple tree tangled with power lines near 40th and California Streets on Monday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
City of Omaha crews work to remove a tree near 40th and California Streets after Saturday's severe storm.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
City of Omaha crews work on Monday to remove a fallen silver maple tree near 40th and California Streets. A supervisor expected it to take about three hours.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Tony Jackson, 61, and Tammy Kozak, 46, chat on outside Jackson's apartment in Omaha. Jackson's power was restored Sunday night. "I love camping," he said. "I just find something positive in the negative. My prayer is that everybody is safe and sound."
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
A drone image of people unloading branches from their vehicles Monday at a tree debris drop-off location at Al Veys Park near 60th and Harrison Streets.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Jose Sanchez, 73, of Omaha tosses tree debris from the bed of his truck at a drop-off location at Al Veys Park on Monday. It was Sanchez's fourth load of tree limbs, and he said he had more to clear at home.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
An alleyway is blocked Monday by a silver maple tree that had fallen near 40th and California Streets.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
A drone image of people unloading branches from their vehicles at a tree debris drop-off location at Al Veys Park on Monday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
People unload branches from their trucks at Al Veys Park on Monday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
A silver maple tree is tangled with wires near 40th and California Streets on Monday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Jose Sanchez, 73, of Omaha tosses tree debris from the bed of his truck at Al Veys Park on Monday.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Someone unloads tree branches next to charred pile of tree debris in the foreground after a fire at Levi Carter Park on Friday. The boat ramp area is one of the places to drop off tree branches after the July 10th storm.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Smoke rises out of a charred pile of tree debris after a fire at Levi Carter Park on Friday. The boat ramp area is one of the places to drop off tree branches after the July 10th storm.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Smoke rises out of a charred pile of tree debris after a fire at Levi Carter Park on Friday. The boat ramp area is one of the places to drop off tree branches after the July 10th storm.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Be the first to know
Get local news delivered to your inbox!