State of the Trees at Moran State Park

— by Didier Gincig —

A state of the trees meeting was held on Nov. 7 at Moran State Park where ranger, Al Nickerson discussed why trees were cut near the Environmental Learning Center and the walk-in campground up Mt. Constitution.

Naturally occurring fungi, Ecotrophic Mycilia, are prevalent (southern B.C., WA, Northern CA, western Montana, northern Idaho) and can live in trees for hundreds of years. They can cause root rot in stressed trees. Root rot is perhaps a necessary part of a forest ecosystem, as it helps create openings in stands. It has been around for thousands of years and may not have been so strong here if not for fire suppression.

After agencies, such as the Department of Natural Resources, found root rot, the state was responsible to mitigate, as liability issues increase with high use and structures. The options became take out trees or close facilities. A decision was made to take down trees and replant with less susceptible Lodgepole, Cedar, and Western White Pine.

Eleven acres of 5,252 [total park acres] were logged, with the goal to make areas safe with as small a project as possible. Roots were not taken out as it would be too costly, messy, and soil would need to be cultivated to get out mycelia. Clear cutting near the ELC has to do with proximity of overnight cabins, wind, and protecting newly planted trees with a fifty foot buffer.

DNR administered sales to Armada Investments, who subcontracted cutting and hauling. The state park did not make money. Timber loads were supervised.

The person in charge of logging informed me he found root rot in one of every four trees. However, trees may look fine, but defects may be found while milling.

Participants were informed that liability drives a lot of this. When you get down to it, how deep are tax-payers’ pockets? If the state gets sued successfully, taxpayers pay for that.

Here are some questions from the meeting:

• What is a safe outdoor experience in a forest?
• Where is the balance of keeping wilderness wild and keeping it safe?
• How much human intervention is necessary?
• Are we talking about liability to do the safest thing or stay out of costly lawsuits?
• How many people have been killed by trees in Washington State Parks?
• Can a release form take care of this?
• Shall we let the water out of the lake because someone might drown?
• Does logging increase stress on neighboring trees?
• Did the project go as planned?

Al Nickerson told participants the project did go as planned and they don’t have to worry about what’s next. Other areas are being assessed; nothing is planned. There would be a public meeting should future cuts be discussed.

P.S. If you see logging trucks heading down Mount Constitution, there are going to be thirty loads cut at the [private] antennae farm, which is not part of the park.