Drought, disease force Shelter Bay tree removal

Work along Shelter Bay Drive posed a minor inconvenience for motorists on Thursday.

But the work itself was in response to what looms as a potential major concern later down the road.

Drought-stricken and dead trees lining Shelter Bay Drive were cut and removed as a traffic and pedestrian safety measure, a scene community leaders fear will have to be repeated going forward.

“According to arborists we have contacted,” Shelter Bay Manager David Franklin told La Conner Weekly News last week, “this is only the beginning. What we are cutting today is the result of droughts the past two summers.

“We have just experienced the driest May, June, July, and August on record for Western Washington,” Franklin added, “so there will likely, and unfortunately, be more to come.”

The issue has undergone thorough study.

An arborist site visit to Shelter Bay resulted in a detailed report, including input from longtime Skagit Conservation District Forester Al Craney, that was forwarded to the community’s Greenbelt/Lot Committee.

The report indicates that impacted trees here are under extreme moisture stress, with effects dating to drought conditions stemming from 2015. That, in turn, has made them susceptible to invasion by wood-boring bark beetles.

Trees die when heavily infested by the beetles.

Dead trees were found in Shelter Bay starting in 2016, linked to the 2015 drought.

More dead trees were discovered last year, believed caused by extended drought in 2016.

Current dying trees are believed the result of dry conditions in 2017.

About 120 trees, including some larger fir and cedars, were placed on the Shelter Bay removal list.

“The trees began dying when they tried to put on new growth this spring, and it became very apparent by late May or early June,” said Franklin. “The Greenbelt Committee determined the scope of the problem and assessed bids over the summer.”

Eager Beaver Tree Service was on site Thursday, working both sides of Shelter Bay Drive, detouring most thru-traffic between the gatehouse and golf course.

One member of the work crew said that in addition to drought and disease, over-crowding has also led to decreased tree health.

“Drought and disease are the main causes,” he said, “but there’s also too much competition (among standing trees).”

Franklin concurred.

“Both increased watering and reduced crowding are important,” he said, when suggesting to residents how best to protect trees on their property.

Franklin said last Thursday’s work represented the bulk of traffic disruption related to the current round of tree removal in Shelter Bay.

As far as the future is concerned, Shelter Bay and other area residents may find themselves doing what would have been unthinkable a generation ago.

That being pray for rain.