Tree house gets logged

A ponderosa is removed from its home... in a house.

When Chris and Kara Jensen bought their house, it came with some unusual baggage. The problem wasn't with water rights or septic systems or termites. The house had been built around a large Ponderosa pine tree.

While the scenic pines are common to the Tollgate neighborhood in which they live, most homes are built amid the trees, not around them. The sight of the tall Ponderosa sticking through the A-frame roof was somewhat of a landmark, but the Jensen's decided that it had become a safety issue for them.

"We had to leave the house during a big wind storm, because of the tree. I love that tree, but it was becoming hazardous," said Kara.

Consequently, they had the tree removed. Because the Ponderosa was in such an unconventional location, the process called for an unconventional removal. Making two cuts with a chain saw and yelling "Timber!" was not going to be sufficient if the Jensen's wanted to keep their house intact.

Instead, they brought in a crane. After the body of the tree was secured to the crane with a stout metal cable, the massive pine was cut in sections and lifted straight up out of the dwelling and placed on a large trailer.

"This house was built 25 years ago around the tree," said Jensen. "I've been told that the ponderosa pine was about 150 years old. I'm sad about losing it, but if something had happened to our young son, I couldn't have forgiven myself."

"Our homeowner's insurance was really starting to get after us -- they saw how unsafe it was. My only consolation is that the timber was bought for the new lodge at Suttle Lake, so I'll still be able to see it."