Tubbs Hill tree work scheduled for July, August

City of Coeur d’Alene crews will cut down dead and dying trees during July and August in order to help enhance public safety.

The Parks & Recreation Department and Coeur d’Alene Fire Department 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. Due to a root rot disease and drought conditions there has been an increase in the number of dead trees on the hill. Crews will cut some of these dead trees and leave the debris onsite to break down naturally. Additionally, three large dead trees will be removed from the site by a contractor in August.

Dead standing trees have major benefits for wildlife habitat but can cause a public safety threat if they are too close to hiking trails. Tree risk assessments and removals also eliminate some of the most hazardous elements to firefighters while fighting fires on the hill. The Fire Department, Parks & Recreation Department and Idaho Department of Lands have combined resources to identify these trees and will distinguish those not being used as habitat for wildlife. Idaho Fish and Game has been asked for recommendations and local forest insect and disease experts have been consulted in management efforts.

At the beginning of August, three large dead ponderosa pine trees near the point will be removed for safety purposes. The trees are located so close to the water that the debris cannot be left onsite to break down naturally, since they will end up in the lake. Due to limited access, these trees have to be removed from the water’s edge with a crane and a barge. With support of the Tubbs Hill Foundation, this work will be accomplished making the hill a healthier forest and a safer place for recreation users.

No healthy trees will be removed and many dead trees will be left for wildlife habitat. Ongoing seedling planting efforts of species tolerant of root rot pathogens continue to promote a healthy stand of trees.