Thousands Of Diseased Santa Clara Trees To Be Cut Down

GILROY (KCBS)— Santa Clara County officials are very concerned about the spread of a tree root disease at Mount Madonna County Park, located between Gilroy and Watsonville.

The Parks and Recreation Department has drawn up plans to cut down about a thousand trees there between now and April.

The disease, known as armillaria, affects mostly Tanoaks

Plant pathologist Ted Swiecki said there could be other diseases at work too.

"People need to be careful about taking soil, wood, and firewood, anything from some other place and bringing it into the parks and into the wild lands. There's a real possibility of bringing diseases and pests that don't belong there," he said.

KCBS' Betsy Gebhart Reports:

County officials said they have to cut down the diseased trees for the health of the forest and the safety of public visitors so rotted trees don't fall on people.

Campsites will be closed until April. It's believed to be the largest tree-removal operation in the parks department's 55-year history.

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