Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Bridgeport’s deteriorating tree sculptures raises preservation alarm

Pelican and young detail from one of Bridgeport’s more than two dozen tree sculptures. Some require immediate intervention to combat rotting and pest infestation.
Pelican and young detail from one of Bridgeport’s more than two dozen tree sculptures. Some require immediate intervention to combat rotting and pest infestation.
MIKE MALTAIS/WARD MEDIA
Posted

BRIDGEPORT – The deteriorating condition of some of the city’s earliest tree sculptures is once again a priority issue of concern for city authorities. Public Works Lead Mike West, standing in for Public Works Superintendent Stuart Dezellem, reported to the Jan.15 council meeting that he met with a representative of Mid Valley Pest Control in Omak to address one of several threats to the iconic pieces.

Mid Valley normally deals with live trees, but following a walk through the carvings, the inspector identified pest problems in some of them. 

“Everything is dormant right now, so he has a window to do some research,” said West. “He Will spend the next month or two on the best mode of action to get after these pests.”

Some sculpture bases are also rotting.

“Most of the rotting you see around the bottom is water damage,” said West. “Since those trees are still in contact with soil they are bringing moisture up into them. Right where the wood meets the soil, you see the rot.”

The pests are throughout the tree, but unlike a live tree, an injectable pesticide may not be the answer.

“With a live tree the pesticide is systemic,” said West. “Pesticide injected into a live tree whether near the base or the top will move throughout the tree. A dead tree loses that systemic action.” 

Soil treatment may buy some extra time to find a solution.

“The bugs move between the soil and the tree depending on the stage of the bug,” said West. “Whether a larvae or adult stage it’s a cycle. If we can at least treat the soil, we can disrupt the life cycle and drop the pressure on the tree until we can figure out a solution to treat the wood.”

Council member Jackie Hentges asked how installing the trees on sculptures might help combat pest infestation if the trees are then sealed with a coating.

“Every two years we put a product on them that makes an impenetrable barrier for water, but pests still find a way in,” West said.

Then there are woodpeckers.

West said woodpecker activity has also increased over the past several years.

“A woodpecker knows that there are bugs inside of a tree and that is why they target them,” West said.

He added an interesting fact about the location of some of the Foster Creek Avenue sculptures.

“You do not see the decay on the south side of the highway,” said West. “Those trees are denser. There is no decaying in them because they are the newest carved trees. The first ones that were carved in the early 2000’s are the ones they are going after.”

West said pedestals are the best remedy.

“Definitely we need to make a separation between the soil and the wood,” said West, “A pedestal would be the ideal thing to do but time is of the essence if we are going to preserve them.”

In earlier discussions Superintendent of Public Works Stuart Dezellem said he was having a problem finding a contractor who would take on the tree pedestal project.

Mayor Sergio Orozco said he would revisit that solution with Dezellem to see if the trees in the most peril can get priority attention with pedestals.

Council member Mike Bjornstad recommended immediate action to save both the sculptures – “even a few at a time” - and the city’s initial investment to have them carved.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media

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