King County plans tree harvest, forest rehab on Taylor Mountain Forest parcel

A healthier environment with better wildlife habitat, and increased funding for management activities across King County forestlands are the expected outcomes of a tree harvest this summer in Taylor Mountain Forest.

The harvest will cover roughly 66 acres within the 1,845-acre forest. Poor-quality maple and over-mature and dying alder will harvested. The land will be replanted with a mixture of western red cedar, Douglas fir, and western hemlock, depending on specific site conditions.

Harvesting these trees now will result in a healthier and more ecologically diverse forest in years to come, with multiple age classes and a greater diversity of tree species. The harvest is expected to begin in June or early July depending on rainfall and last for four to six weeks.

A portion of the Holder Creek Trail will be closed through the harvest area. This trail will be rerouted following the harvest as proposed in the Taylor Mountain Public Use Plan and Trails Assessment.

Signs informing visitors of the log-hauling route and the location of the closed portion of the trail will be posted at the Holder Creek parking area, located near the Issaquah-Hobart Road and just south of the Highway 18 interchange.

Additional signs will be posted at appropriate locations on the trail network to ensure trail users are notified of the trail closure and safety concerns related to the harvesting operations.

Most of the conifers within the identified harvest area won’t be cut, except for those severely infected with root rot. Erickson Logging, Inc. will conduct the harvest operation. Sale of the harvested logs will generate an estimated $75,000 that will help fund the ongoing management of King County owned forestland.

More information about Taylor Mountain Forest, including the forest stewardship plan that proposed this harvest, is at http://www.kingcounty.gov/recreation/parks/naturalresources/naturallands/taylor.aspx.

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