A massive hickory tree on Binghamton's West Side suddenly toppled, narrowly missing passing vehicles on Riverside Drive.

A police officer directed traffic after a downed tree blocked part of Riverside Drive on February 26, 2018. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
A police officer directed traffic after a downed tree blocked part of Riverside Drive on February 26, 2018. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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City police said no injuries were reported after the giant tree came down around noon Monday.

The tree was on Laurel Avenue, just south of Riverside Drive. One or two cars reportedly struck it just as it fell onto the busy street. The vehicles apparently sustained no damage.

The eastbound lane was blocked by the top portion of the tree. A police officer directed traffic while workers with the Parks and Recreation Department used chainsaws to chop up the tree.

Homeowner Robert Murphy said he had been told by a tree expert that the pignut hickory tree that fell probably had been in that spot before the street was constructed.

Murphy said the big tree also took down a smaller tree in front of his home when it came down.

City crews worked to remove the fallen tree at Riverside Drive and Laurel Avenue. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
City crews worked to remove the fallen tree at Riverside Drive and Laurel Avenue. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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