COLUMBUS, OH - Two professional tree care companies have volunteered services to prune or remove identified hazard trees on the grounds surrounding the Memorial Forest Shrine located in Mohican Memorial State Forest in Ashland County, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry.
Dolce’s Tree Service of Mansfield and Howell’s Tree & Landscape Service of Columbus will donate staff time and company equipment to assist state foresters in trimming back dangerous limbs and removing hazardous tees. Costs to conduct this work were estimated at between $6000 and $9000.
“Many of the trees located on the grounds surrounding the Memorial Shrine are becoming hazards, and are potential threats to visitor safety,” said Frank Corona Assistant District Forest Manager. “Serious decline of some of the trees has made them safety hazards because of dead upper limbs, and unsound trunks.”
A combination of the 2004 winter ice storm, wind events, very wet and/or dry climate years, as well as insects and disease have affected the health and soundness of many trees around the Memorial Shrine. Urban foresters from the Division of Forestry (DOF) recently conducted a survey of the Shrine trees and completed a report documenting the condition of potentially unsafe trees.
After reviewing the Hazard Tree Survey compiled by Division of Forestry Urban Foresters, the American Federation of Women’s Clubs, The Gold Star Mothers, and Trustees of the Mohican Memorial Shrine approved the project. On July 22 the tree care specialists, and state foresters, will meet at the Shrine to begin work. The project should be completed in one day.
The ODNR Division of Forestry manages 20 state forests on more than 185,000 acres, spanning parts of 21 counties. Using Best Management Practices (BMPs), the state foresters demonstrate proper timber management within these forests. Benefits of these properly managed forests include timber, improved forest health, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, aesthetics and recreational opportunities.