Maplewood's First Tree Down in Sandy

Maplewood has its first tree casualty during Hurricane Sandy. On Monday morning, a large spruce on Hickory Drive cracked at its base, falling on top of -- but not yet knocking down --a power line. 

Fred Profeta, a resident of the street (and former Mayor of Maplewood), said the affected line is a main one that brings power to not only Hickory but surrounding streets. "It could be bad," said Profeta.

It was unclear if the increasingly high winds from Hurricane Sandy were the culprit, or if the tree would have cracked anyway.

Fire and police officials, as well as DPW director Eric Burbank, were on the scene. PSE&G had been alerted, and township officials said they hoped the power company would be able to remove the tree soon before it took down the lines.