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At least one county resident is resting easier tonight after a 40-foot tall tilting tree was uprooted and placed safely on the ground.

“I feel much safer now,” said Victor Soltero, whose home is situated across the alley from where the tree once stood. Before it was removed, the tree leaned as if it would fall directly onto Soltero’s home if it were to fall.

Crews from the Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative visited the scene on Wednesday, when Soltero first noticed the tree’s angle. At the time, the utility provider deemed the tree did not pose an imminent safety hazard, though it was touching the uncharged guide lines of nearby power lines.

The utility co-op crew returned Thursday morning along with personnel from a tree trimming company they contract with to further evaluate the situation, this time with a crane in tow.

“They had a discussion, and in fact another tree had to come down, too,” said Jack Blair, chief member services officer for SSVEC.

Even with no easy direct access to the trees because of the narrow alley and residences on either side, crews were able to use the crane to secure and hold up the tops of the trees while personnel trimmed off a number of branches.

Eventually, the trees were cut down while the crane slowly lowered them down to the ground, Blair said.

Without being certain, Blair said the crews estimated the trees had been damaged in the freezing weather last February.

After a night spent sleeping on the far end of his home, near the kitchen, Soltero said he is looking forward to sleeping in bed again.

“I’m glad it’s over,” he said.