Events

Title

Project Tour and Information Session - Root Rot Mitigation & Restoration Thinning Project

Location

South Kitsap Regional Park - 3101 SE Marbeth Lane, Port Orchard

Start Time

2/11/2017 9:00 AM

End Time

2/11/2017 10:00 AM

Description

Meet at the Live Steamers Train Depot

For additional information contact: Arno Bergstrom, Kitsap County Forester at 360.620.8907 or visit www.kitsapgov.com/parks

Root rot has plagued South Kitsap Regional Park for many decades. Park patrons have witnessed hundreds of dead standing and fallen Douglas fir and hemlock due to the disease. Winter storms have toppled seemingly healthy fir and hemlock exposing severely rotted anchor roots. Diseased trees can and have fallen without warning even in calm weather conditions. Over the decades more trees have contracted the disease and more trees can be expected to contract and die from root rot in the future. Because of the popularity of the trails and recreational facilities of this 200+ acre urban park near Port Orchard, root rot is both a forest health and public safety issue. The Kitsap County Parks Department has applied for a Forest Practices Permit to remove dead and dying root rot infected tree in the park.

To further mitigate the disease, the forested areas of the park will also be thinned to reduce tree to tree root contact; which is the way laminated root rot spreads. The smallest trees will be removed first with the goal of enhancing the vigor of the largest conifers. This will not only creates a barrier that protects healthy trees, thinning will also improve tree vigor and promote the growth of understory vegetation and shade tolerant tree species.

This forest health project is expected to start in early March 2017. Portions of the park will need to be closed, including trails, due to the hazardous nature or tree felling and other equipment operations.

All Day Event

Recurrence

Attachments

Content Type: Event

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