The bridge abutments are finished and the bridges are being installed. The photo above shows where the 3rd bridge will be (the bridge itself is sort of visible on the west bank). Just at the bend in the stream, you can see a large double-trunked alder. What you can't see in this photo is that the tree is tall, dead, and rotting. The project team was concerned that it could fall on the brand new bridge, something that would be both dangerous and expensive. So we decided to take it down and make it a feature instead of a liability.
The contractor first dug a large hole behind the tree so the root ball could come out more easily.
Then the contractor just pushed the tree over. This was not as simple as it looks -- it takes skill to aim a tree trunk with a back hoe.
After a bit of pushing, digging, repositioning, and pushing some more, the tree finally came down.
There is a good amount of water in the stream from last week's rains and the tree made a tremendous splash when it fell.
The tree fell exactly where the project team wanted it. To eliminate the temptation to cross the stream on this ad hoc bridge, the branches and upper trunks will be cut and hauled up into the blackberry thicket on the far side of the stream. The root wad and lower trunks will stay pretty much where they are, creating an interesting little spot in the stream. This is right next to Bridge 3, so visitors will have an excellent view of it once the trail is reopened. Be sure to look for it when you're here.
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