Hoodsport parks' tree removal almost done

Port of Hoodsport officials recently contacted the Shelton-Mason County Journal to sum up the work being done at the Hoodsport Trail Park and the Hoodsport Hills Disc Golf Course, both of which are closed to the public.

Port Commissioner Lori Kincannon said the removal of diseased, dying and fallen hazardous trees at the Hoodsport parks started in mid-July, and upon assessment of those trees, workers discovered that poria-laminated root rot was widespread and that the Douglas fir bark beetle was present.

"Additionally, the blown-down trees from the record snowfalls we had last winter had made a huge mess of entangled trees, creating dangerous conditions during the trees' removal," Kincannon said.

Port Maintenance Manager Scott Lindgren said the dangerous trees that needed removal were "everywhere" throughout the parks, but on the bright side, "once they're all removed, it should make room for trees that were planted during the reforestation project 10 years ago by the forester after the last removal of diseased and dead trees."

Forest McCullough of Hoodsport-based Northwest Land and Tree said during the port commissioners'

Nov. 9 meeting that his crews had "run into a couple of snags" with bad weather and equipment breakdowns plaguing them that week, as they sought out quick but safe repairs.

"We definitely need to get some rock in here," McCullough said. "I went ahead and ordered it, even if it means I have to pay for it and get reimbursed."

Port Operations Manager Kathleen Wyatt told McCullough the port should be able to cover those costs up-front at his quarry of choice.

McCullough said he wants to put down rocks to avoid turning it into a mud pit with his heavy equipment and logging trucks. He added that the main parking lot areas have become muddy.

McCullough's crews had already conducted logging along the homeowners' property neighboring the disc golf course the week before

Nov. 9, and as long as favorable weather conditions continue, he estimated tree removal should be completed by the end of November.

Kincannon predicted the trails would be cleared and ready for the public by late spring, just in time for a grand reopening, planned by the port, to help showcase the trail park and the disc golf course and surrounding area.

Dates and times for this event have yet to be determined, but Kincannon advised the public to look for it to be advertised locally, and on the Port of Hoodsport's website.

Kincannon reiterated that removing the trees is for public safety and environmental reasons. "The 15-year forest management plan for the 80-acre Hoodsport Trail Park allows for trees identified with disease and bark beetle infestation to be removed before they become hazard trees," Kincannon said. "Winter storms also create hazardous trees that become dangerous to the public."

In return, more than 17,000 trees that are impervious to the root rot disease, and were planted in 2013 after the last tree removal, will get to flourish.

"Removing dead, dying and hazardous trees will allow sunlight in on the forest floor, and create a healthy environment in the forest, so smaller trees can grow tall and strong," Kincannon said.

Author Bio

Kirk Boxleitner, Reporter

Shelton-Mason County Journal & Belfair Herald
[email protected]