Vol. 2, Issue 48, November 27, 2009

OLD GROWTH TREES TO BE CUT DOWN AT DOHENY STATE PARK

THE LATEST: Seventeen trees at Doheny State Park have been marked for destruction while a total of 54 trees have been identified as needing some sort of work.



The decision to remove the old growth trees has been met with speculation and rumors are making the rounds—alleging that the removal of the trees is part of an effort to make landscape care at the park easier, to sell the wood for a profit and that the removal is being kept secret to avoid controversy.



All but two of the marked trees are Eucalyptus that have dropped limbs during the past summer according to Doheny State Beach Park Superintendant Rich Haydon.  “None of the rumors are true. Once this type of tree starts to drop limbs, other limbs are susceptible and it is State Parks Department policy to fell them in the interest of public safety,” said Haydon. “According to State Parks Forester Steve Bakken this is a natural part of the lifespan of these type of trees.”



This is not the first time the State Parks have removed this species for safety reasons. A Eucalyptus tree dropped a limb late last summer which landed on the benches near the Visitors Center. That incident and others (within the parks system) which have resulted in injuries have prompted a more comprehensive approach to tree inspection.



As an ongoing process, all trees within the State Parks system (where possible) are inspected each fall, with special attention given to trees that are susceptible to summer branch drop such as the Eucalyptus at Doheny.



WHAT’S NEXT: Since this naturally occurring process has nothing to do with tree disease or insect infestation, the wood will not go to waste. It will be offered—with first right of refusal—to the Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association as a cooperating association of Cal State Parks. The trees will be cleared and/or pruned sometime between now and the first of the year.



FIND OUT MORE: www.parks.ca.gov



—Andrea Swayne