Metro Parks has announced twenty-three dead or dying trees, located along the outer loop of 5-Mile Drive were marked last week and are scheduled for removal in early February as part of routine safety and preventative maintenance work at Point Defiance Park.
The majority of trees to be removed are dead or dying hemlocks, which staff has found to be more prone to fall. Some dead Douglas fir trees are still sound and will be left in place. Dead trees serve an important role in the forest ecosystem, providing food and habitat for wildlife, and restoring the soil as they decompose. Metro Parks Tacoma’s policy is to leave dead trees standing in forested areas, unless they pose a high risk of falling where they could cause damage or injury. Each of the trees to be removed was individually evaluated and marked by the District’s urban forester.
Tree trunks and large branches will be left on site, away from the road, where they can contribute to habitat functions and provide soil enrichment for the forest. Smaller branches and twigs, which can pose a fire hazard in the dry summer months, will be removed by Metro Parks staff or the District’s designated contractor.