No way past branch for pensioner

Luckily the 65-year-old's car was not parked on the drive when it came crashing down from a tree outside her home in Stourbridge Road, Dudley.

Mrs Emery reckons she has been battling with Dudley Council to get the tree chopped down after two previous incidents of falling branches and fears someone could get seriously injured.

She said: "Fortunately, no one has been hurt this time, but someone could have been walking past at the wrong moment and it might have been a different story.

"It is the third time a large branch has fallen from the tree, since it split in two during a heavy thunder storm in 2004."

A large branch came flying off during torrential downpours and landed on the roof of her Volvo, causing thousands of pounds of damage.

The London Plane tree was cut back by the council and it looked like the problem had been solved, but last summer Mrs Emery returned home to find another 12ft branch on her driveway.

The latest incident, which happened yesterday morning, has made her more determined to get the tree removed.

Mrs Emery, who lives with husband Brian, aged 67, added that she had been in touch with the council but insists no-one seems to listen.

She said: "I was told last year that a tree surgeon would come and have a look at it,but I don't know whether they ever did.

"I am just concerned, because large branches could cause serious injury and damage to property."

Council workers cleared away the branch and debris yesterday afternoon. Dudley Council was not available for comment.