by Geoff Fox
A few trees along the C&O Canal in Hancock have been marked with an orange band or cross while some have been marked with a dot to denote they need some attention by arborists.
The C&O Canal National Historical Park has identified the marked trees as needing removed or trimmed.
Those trees are marked as part of the park’ s hazard tree management, said Chief of Interpretation, Education, and Volunteers Christina Hanson in an email to The Hancock News.
The trees along the road and towpath have been marked with an orange band or cross indicating the tree is scheduled for removal. The ones with dots are scheduled for trimming.
“The National Park Service follows expert guidance from the International Society of Arboriculture and Tree Care Industry Association to carefully assess and manage trees that pose potential hazards,” Hanson said.
In total, there are over 6.5 million trees within the C&O Canal National Historical Park and their arborists conduct thorough, year-round assessments to identify trees that could pose a risk to visitors, towpath, or park structures, said park officials.
National Park Service arborists conduct a detailed “root to leaf” evaluation and consider factors such as whether the tree is alive or dead; the presence of broken or hanging branches; signs of disease, insect damage, or root instability; structural weakness, such as forked tops or co-dominant stems; and potential damage from human activity.
While some trees can be treated, Hanson said others must be removed to prevent falling branches or complete tree failure.
“The park is committed to preserving as many trees as possible while ensuring public safety,” she said. “We do not remove every tree with defects – only those that pose a significant risk, particularly in high-traffic areas like the towpath.”
Before any tree is removed, the Park Service consults with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to protect sensitive species.
When trees are removed, steps are taken to support the park’ s natural environment, such as leaving tree debris to enrich the soil and provide wildlife habitat in some areas, and in others, they use targeted pruning to maintain safety while protecting nearby endangered species.
“Routine tree maintenance in campgrounds, picnic areas, and along the towpath helps keep visitors safe, promotes a healthy ecosystem, and preserves the park’s natural and historic beauty for future generations,” Hanson said.
Hanson said the removal of hazard trees is expected to take place in late fiscal year 2025 – sometime in June — to early fiscal year 2026, which would be after July 1, 2025.