A stand of aspens turn gold in a sunny canyon rising above Kingsbury Grade in October 2021.
Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.
The next front in the conflict between the aspens and the pines will open Monday on the south end of Prey Meadows on Lake Tahoe’s east shore near Glenbrook.
“This thinning work is part of the Aspen Community Restoration Project that aims to restore at risk aspen stands on National Forest lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin,” Forest Service Public Affairs Specialist Lisa Herron said on Friday.
Foresters are scheduled to start thinning trees by hand.
Recreationists are advised to use caution when accessing the 14N30 trail that runs along the edge of the meadow near the project area.
“The purpose of this project is to reduce the number of pine and fir trees that are encroaching upon aspen stands in Prey Meadows,” Herron said. “This will allow more sunlight to reach the forest floor, which will increase aspen regeneration, promote expansion of the stands, and enhance the diversity and abundance of plant and animal species within this aspen community.”
The public can expect to see hand crews removing trees using chainsaws. Spotters will be used during tree felling operations near the trail. Work may continue throughout the summer and fall as staffing schedules allow.
