Though thousands of trees are twisted and broken throughout the area, forestry experts said the damage may not be long-term.

ri Craig McKinley, an extension forestry specialist at Oklahoma State University, said permanent tree damage largely depends on where the tree was harmed.

"The big issue is the damage to large limbs and trunks," he said.

If they are damaged, then the life expectancy is affected, he said.

However, broken or snapped tree branches will grow back within a year, he said.

Despite the arbor-devastation in virtually every neighborhood of the metro area, Tulsa's most famous tree defied Mother Nature's winter storm and continues to stand tall.

The Council Oak tree -- under which American Indian tribal members in 1832 spread ashes from their sacred ceremonial fires that had burned in their homelands in the southeastern U.S. -- wasn't harmed in the storm late Sunday and early Monday.

"We like having a little piece of history right outside of our doorstep," said Andy Wheeler, 37, a resident in the Riverview neighborhood, near 18th Street and South Cheyenne Avenue where the tree is located.

Having the landmark oak tree makes the area special because visitors and tribal leaders often stop by, Wheeler said.

Resident Robert Hibbert, 51, feared losing the historic tree after watching many tress fall into the street and throughout his neighbors' yards.

"It was

Unlike Hibbert, resident Greg Mitchell, 40, said he wasn't surprised the historic tree remained unharmed.

"It appears to be strong and sturdy," he said.

As the number of branches and trees blocking roadways were removed, at least one south Tulsa resident continued to have problems on Wednesday.

William Berman, 10643 S. 66th East Ave., said the 80-foot-tall tree on his property split in half, with one branch as long as the tree itself remaining on the street, causing traffic delays. Another large tree section landed on his driveway.

"The first branch broke off the tree and shook the ground," he said.

He also said three trees from other homes have hit his home, knocking off gutters and crushing a trampoline in the backyard.

Deon Hampton 581-8413
deon.hampton@tulsaworld.com