Stockton residents fearful after tree falls into home

A Stockton family is cleaning up Thursday, just one day after a storm caused a large tree branch to fall into their home.

This incident has struck fear in neighbors who are worried about trees near their homes.

We could have gotten hurt really bad or we could have been killed, said Raymond Rubianes, who lives in the home crushed by the tree.

Rubianes said he is lucky to be alive after a huge oak tree branch crashed into the middle of his dining room. He and his wife were inside the home but were not hurt.

We were in the kitchen and decided not to eat at the kitchen table and eat in another room," Rubianes said. "We would have been sitting right there."

Rubianes said he had been concerned about the oak tree for years and had called the city to ask if he could get rid of the tree, but was told no.

Being (on) my property, I thought I could take it down, but a few years back, they wouldnt allow it because it's a historical tree, said Rubianes.

City officials said there are some requirements before cutting down certain trees in Stockton.

There are certain types of oaks that are referred to as heritage oaks, and if they're on private property, you would need to obtain a permit if you wanted to remove the tree, Stockton spokeswoman Connie Cochran said.

However, the city said it never received a permit application to cut down Rubianes' tree.

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Stockton residents fearful after tree falls into home