I-5’s median trees offer example of good thinning

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Kudos to the state Department of Transportation for its work on tree thinning! Check out the forested areas on I- 5 in the median area between the north and southbound lanes between mileposts 186 and 187, just north of 128 Street SE. This is a very small but convenient example of what can be accomplished with a well-executed selective logging program.

The result is a nicely spaced forested area with a mix of species and age classes. Not only is this stand now much more resistant to insect and disease issues, but freed from competition the remaining trees will grow more rapidly, sequester more carbon and be far more resistant to fire.

The same approach needs to be applied to millions of forested acres in the western U.S. that are now the epicenter of major fires that are making our summers here much less enjoyable. Additional benefits would be the creation of numerous jobs, taxes that would flow to local municipalities, and additional school funding. This would a win-win situation for all of us.

Don Healy

Lynnwood