Helicopter to remove hazardous trees at Ohme Gardens

WENATCHEE — A helicopter operation to remove trees damaged during a recent windstorm at Ohme Gardens is scheduled for Monday, officials said, with traffic impacts expected in the area.

The operation will address trees that were blown onto rocky cliffs below the popular tourist destination during a Feb. 23 windstorm. Weather permitting, the public may see the helicopter, equipped with a 150-foot line and accompanied by a tree climber, working over the gardens as early as March 3. The removal is expected to take approximately three hours.

On Monday, Ohme Road, which leads to the gardens, will be closed to local traffic only at its intersection with McMullan Road. On east Ohme Gardens Road, motorists should plan for one-lane, flagger-controlled traffic with up to 20-minute delays in the area below the gardens. Traffic impacts will be from about 8:30 a.m. to noon. Motorists should find alternate routes during that time.

The windstorm caused damage throughout the Chelan County-owned alpine garden, uprooting approximately 15 trees across the property.

"The combination of recent rains, overly saturated grounds and high winds created the perfect storm to yank these giants from the ground," said Samantha Segaline, manager of Ohme Gardens.

Officials report that four trees now lie on the rock face below the eastern side of the gardens, with two additional cliffside trees leaning. All six trees, identified as a mix of Douglas and white fir, will be removed during the helicopter operation.

The removal process will involve a tree climber attaching fallen trees to the helicopter line. The trees will then be flown up and over the gardens to be placed in the parking lot. The tree climber then will work with the helicopter to cut and remove the other two trees in several pieces. The work is being done by North Wind Aviation of Entiat and Guy's Tree Care of Wenatchee.

"It's going to be a spectacular sight best viewed from the Apple Capital Loop Trail near the 37th Street parking area," Segaline said.

While Ohme Gardens, which turns 96 this year, has experienced tree damage from windstorms in the past, Segaline, who is beginning her eleventh season with the gardens, said this is the first time a helicopter will be called in to remove hazardous trees.

"We need to remove these trees as safely as possible," she said. "But it is a financial setback for sure, especially since we are getting ready to open in April. So remember us this spring. Get your season pass early, keep an eye on our events calendar and buy your yard plants from us. We'll also be taking orders for cords of firewood."