Hazard Tree Removal work party happening on Tuesday, June 2

Hello all –

Hud Elgood and his team from Bartlett Tree Services are now scheduled to be here on Tuesday, June 2. to do one more year of clearing out hazard trees from the ditch area. (Please note that this has been rescheduled from the original tentative date of Wednesday, May 20.) They expect to arrive here around 8:15 a.m. and will likely be here for the full day.

If you plan to come out to help (or if you have any questions), please email me to let me know – thanks! I will bring some snacks 🙂

This year is “year 3” of a 3 year plan we have with them. We will continue to focus on removing the alder trees along the ditch between Units #30 to #14, as the priority this year.

Hud told me that there is an infestation affecting red alder trees on Vancouver Island. Here is a bit of info about it:

Alder Bark Beetle & Neonectria Canker: The alder bark beetle (Alniphagus aspericollis) infests living red alder trees, leaving pin-sized entry holes in the bark, often creating a rusted halo. This beetle is associated with a Neonectria fungus, causing cankers on the branches and trunk.

Hud says that once a tree is infected, the tree usually dies within a year or two. The fungus makes the tree wood very unstable, so the trees can break easily and they become unsafe to climb in order to cut them. This past year his crew was hired to take down a whole bunch of alders in Catherdral Grove, and in Rathtrevor park. His advice was that we focus on removing the alders along the ditch, since this infection seems to be moving up-island and infected trees will be difficult to cut down safely in areas that cannot be reached by a bucket truck.

We have worked with Hud and his team before. The “division of labour” is as follows: they cut the branches and trees. They let us know when it is safe for us to move in to pick up the branches and rounds. We then carry the branches over to the chipper, and we bring the rounds over beside the road and stack them. They put the branches into, and operate, the chipper. This allows the tree guys to focus on what they do best, and we get more trees down in a day. Yay!

Some practical notes:

please wear closed-toe footwear (e.g. runners, work boots, hiking boots), and clothes that can get dirty.
bring work gloves.
if you have a furniture dolly or wheelbarrow we could use to move the cut logs, please bring those.
The work will likely start up by Units 23/24 and 13/14, so we will meet there around 8:15 a.m.
If you are only able to come for part of the day, please join us whenever (and for however long) it works for you – all participation is much appreciated!
And, please take good care of yourself. Only do what you feel comfortable, safe, and physically good to do.

Thanks!

Violet (LLE Council, Landscaping)