COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – A barge with a crane removed three large dead Ponderosa pine trees from Tubbs Hill on Friday.
Officials said while tree work is in progress, there will be temporary trail delays. There will be signs posted signs and personnel that will be prevent access into work zones.
City leaders said the trees are located near the point and are so close to the water that the debris cannot be left onsite to break down naturally because they will end up in the lake. Coeur d’Alene Fire Department crew members cut down the trees last week and now a contractor is removing the debris from the water’s edge with a crane and a barge.
The Parks & Recreation and Fire departments manage risk trees on Tubbs Hill yearly. Risk trees are those that are dead, dying, or have structural defects and are in close proximity to hiking trails. Officials said there has been an increase in the number of dead trees on the hill due to a root rot disease and drought conditions.
Officials said no healthy trees will be removed and many dead trees will be left for wildlife habitat.
