For Immediate Release Contact: Wendy Fox

May 21, 2007 617-626-1453

State Plans Limited Removal of Hazardous Trees

at Robinson State Park

The state Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is planning to remove a number of dead trees at the main entrance to Robinson State Park. The trees pose a threat to public safety.

Northern Tree Service will start the work on Wednesday, May 23, beginning at 7 a.m. and continuing for about two days. The park entrance on North Street will be closed until the work is completed. About 105 dead trees are expected to be removed.

Throughout last fall and winter, a number of red pine trees at the entrance to the park died, and DCR officials became concerned for the safety of park visitors. After careful review of the hazard posed by the standing and fallen dead trees, and the park’s biological and historical resources, this limited project will remove the most hazardous trees along the park’s entrance and administration office roads.

The immediate concern is that some of the dead trees along the entrance road are leaning toward the road and could fall, especially during a windstorm, and strike a pedestrian or vehicle. There is also concern that the fallen dead trees could become fuel for forest fires.

All work will be performed from the paved roads to minimize the impact on the site, especially on the park’s young, native white pine and oak trees.

DCR is also requesting that visitors to the park help the agency stop illegal off-highway vehicle (OHV) use and brush fires. OHVs have seriously damaged trails throughout the park, and several recent brush fires, started intentionally or by careless behavior, have threatened the park. Please call DCR's ParkWatch number, 866-PKWATCH (866-759-2824), to report suspicious behavior.

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