Clean Up Of State's Second Oldest Oak Begins

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – The buzz of numerous chain saws has signaled the start of a massive clean up job after a huge, 300-year-old oak tree, some say the state's second oldest, toppled damaging two homes.

A Sacramento County arborist said the oak tree on the 100 block of Clunie Drive was likely 300 to 500 years old and suffered from rotting roots when it toppled over.

The tree had been reported to be the second oldest oak tree in the state by Sunset Magazine.

The tree, with a trunk diameter of 8-10 feet, punched a hole five feet deep into the pavement when it hit the ground.

"It did damage to the pavement. It was so heavy it went through the pavement five or so feet into the ground," said a Sacramento County arborist.

A garage was damaged and another home suffered what appears to be serious structural damage. A car was also crushed under the tree.

"The oak tree was waterlogged and deteriorated inside and it fell. It crushed the garage, the car in the garage – everything that's inside," said Sterling West, the son-in-law of the neighbor whose garage was crushed.

"They take excellent care of that tree. I mean, Austin Carroll comes twice a year and trims, so it was too old," said a neighbor.

No injuries were reported.