Odlin Park Tree Trimming

A note came in from Stan Matthews over at the County offices about those ribbons on some trees in Odlin Park on Lopez. Don’t fret – they’re not cutting them down! Just clearing some dead limbs. Here’s Stan’s note:

As part of Odlin Park’s new campground development project, the San Juan County Parks Department contracted certified arborist/forester Carson Sprenger to assess the condition of the trees in an area of the park, and remove dead and hanging limbs from several of the old growth trees in that area.

Some Lopez Island residents and park users have contacted the Parks Department out of concern that trees marked with ribbons will be cut down. In fact, there are no plans to remove any of the trees.

Most of the trees that were marked simply needed to have dead limbs trimmed off; however the arborist found that two trees will require significant action because of their condition. One grand (white) fir and one Douglas fir were identified as having advanced disease and rot that risks their stability and are a potential risk to park users and facilities.

The Douglas fir near the park entrance, has velvet top fungus that likely entered the tree from an old fire scar. Because it has suffered a lot of rot in the bole (stem), the Parks department has authorized the arborist to reduce its height to lessen its risk of falling over on its own. At its current height its fall is capable of hitting the boat trailer parking and main park road as well as the new campground.

The grand (white) fir is suffering from an advanced rot and is unlikely to survive. The arborist will shorten that tree, but leave it standing, to create a wildlife snag.

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