2020 Timber Harvest
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A big, heavy limb like this could fall anytime.
In 2018, the day after Christmas, a very large hemlock was blown over and cleaved the lumber shed roof in half. Thankfully, we were able to repair this prior to the big snowstorm of 2019 which would have surely caused more damage. Unfortunately, that snowstorm and aftermath took down a maple which completely destroyed our only waterfront building. We have only recently been able to entirely clean up what’s left of the foundation.
The leaning, moss-covered maples and alders are most noticeable this time of year.
We have a lot of trees at Sound View Camp. Since the Presbytery of Olympia purchased Camp Wakoma from Campfire in 1985, we have pretty much let the forests grow. There has been some minor tree harvests to address road safety and one pocket of laminated root rot, but Sound View remains heavily forested even in areas where there are guest cabins, platform tents, and lodges. Many of these trees are alders and maples which are at the end of life and are apt to let fall large heavy limbs or lose their tops entirely.
In the summer months, while the breezes are gentle, this is not a problem. However, with our growing outdoor environmental education program resulting in hundreds of students visiting Sound View in the Spring and Fall - when the breezes often blow - these large trees pose a serious safety concern.
We have requested a permit to to undergo a timber harvest over the winter of 2020. The results of this harvest will include:
Removing “danger” trees,
Creating a new road to allow traffic, delivery trucks, and most importantly, emergency vehicles to loop around camp safely with access to all lodging areas. This will eliminate semi-trailers (food delivery trucks) having to back up on our dirt roads, especially when guests are present.
Thinning out wooded sections of the camp which are closest to guest lodging - especially trees leaning towards buildings.
Creating more of a “grove” atmosphere in our main area of camp instead of swathes of impenetrable forest. By doing so, we can carve out attractive tent campsites among trees. Presently, the scouts that run events at Sound View have to pitch their tents on the playfield which limits its use.
Reclaim playfield areas that have shrunk in the last thirty years.
Remove smaller Douglas firs in the ropes course area to allow others to thrive. This is important if we need to move high ropes course elements in the event of losing a key tree due to wind or disease.
Planting numerous saplings to create more diversity in our forests.
There will be NO clear-cutting at Sound View. The harvest will focus on danger trees, Douglas fir, hemlock, and maple. We love our iconic cedar which defines our entryway into camp. Cedars will be generally left alone as they are thriving with the exception of those in the path of the new road. Also, the lowland forests (about 33% of the property) will not be thinned.
The white sap is an indicator of a larger problem with this fir.
The decision to harvest trees at Sound View has not been taken lightly. No one likes to remove a tree. But, as I walk through the camp and see the marked trees, I take time to look up - and then I understand. My primary concern is the safety of our guests and I will work hard to ensure that they can safely walk our trails and explore our property while they are here.
Sound View will be holding an Open House on Saturday, December 28, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm so that neighbors and friends can walk the property and have their questions answered. Please feel free to stop by.
If you have questions/concerns before then please email me at director@soundviewcamp.com and I will do my best to answer them. Specific tree-related questions can be asked of our forest managers (Hopkins Forestry) at hopkinsforestry@yahoo.com .
