Well, it finally happened, I am now a member of the "hedgwackers society". I was doing a show for the townspeople before the fireworks display at the local golf coarse with my old Ultra Sport. I would do a routine and get a "golf" clap, do another and hear to "oohs and ahs", I was really feeling great. My spotter was telling me how well I was doing at staying above the trees, There are a line of trees that are planted along the North side of the driving range. Because of a 15 mph cross wind and all the spectators, I decided to stay over the tree line than risk flying too close to the spectators.

After a flawless flight, I turned downwind and set up on base, gave 4 clicks of left rudder and two clicks up, throttle at 25% then a quick boost to 50% for the flare, spotter was telling me I had a clear field, the audience was cheering and I was anticipating a perfect three point in spite of the 15 mph cross wind, then "WACK", leaves and birds flew everywhere along with an OS .46 coming out of a tree at 1/2 throttle.

Silence,

Then I took a bow and everyone started clapping.

I hit a tree, my first tree in my 19 years of flying.

Time to get my eyes checked.

Seemed that the 15 mph cross wind died while I was set up on approach and I didn't realize it.

The tree fared worse that the plane. Engine and firewall came out and a chunk out of the leading edge. The tree had a big chunk taken out of the trunk. The City said I may have killed it.
Wonder if AMA covers dead trees? hee hee

I told the newspaper that it was a tree controlled landing and that this is standard procedure in such windy conditions.

Other club members stated that it was time for my plane to morph back into its original state of becoming a tree again.

Got my picture in the paper with the caption "Tree point landing".

now THAT'S comedy

I have nightmares about doing stuff like this in front of a large crowd! I think you handled it great! Myself, I would have fainted from the embarrassment!

Great story!