Victim of Hurricane Ivan. 09/16/04 FEMA and me: Catch 22

[Warpy]

1. Those tree lengths were likely sold to a wood lot

and resold at a huge markup to fireplace people farther north. Or the ones with no sign on heart rot (something the species is known for) were probably sold to a lumber mill, where they would eventually be kiln dried and used the way red oak is, for furniture and veneers.

You can bet it didn't end up in a landfill.

And yes, the rules suck. Downed tree removal should be covered somewhere. And yes, I've seen exactly what you described when oaks fell on the school I was in because the PTB decided a brick building was safer, so they didn't cancel classes when Hazel came through. Hazel was no lady.