Trees on Highway 20 are in trouble

Anyone who has driven between Sisters and Black Butte Ranch has noticed it: The trees along Highway 20 are in trouble. Some of these damaged and potentially dying trees have been recognized as a public safety hazard and must be removed.

It's a roadside phenomenon; just a few yards back from the highway, the trees are healthy.

As the trees began showing distress and started dying the Forest Service and Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) conducted a joint analysis to determine the cause.The analysis indicated that the manufacturer of the herbicide Perspective©, which ODOT applied to the road shoulders within the highway corridor, originally stated it may harm susceptible trees, but the label did not say it specifically it would harm ponderosa pine trees.  However, in 2012, additional language on the manufacturer's label was added specifically stating it would damage ponderosa pine trees.  ODOT has discontinued use of Perspective© where trees are growing.

In addition, the analysis of the trees indicated that, though the herbicide was likely the key cause of distress, other environmental factors like recent drought also contributed to tree distress/death in the area.

Officials from the Forest Service and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) currently are identifying specific trees to remove for safety reasons.

Depending upon the final calculation of the number of trees that need to be removed within the highway corridor and how they will be removed, the Forest Service may consider doing an environmental assessment.  However any trees that are an imminent safety hazard to the public will be taken down immediately.

The Forest Service and ODOT assert that any removal of the trees will be done in a manner to minimize ground disturbance and maintain the scenic quality of the highway corridor.