Most of the area has been covered with snow since December which has decreased any fire hazards this spring.

A lot of ground water has been provided, but maybe too much according to Forest Technician Gerald Crowell.

All of the water tends to rot the feeder root systems on trees, potentially killing the tree.

"The fine-feeder roots are the size of a human hair so they are a size that you or I can't see," explains Crowell. He adds, "That's what the tree uses to gather in all the moisture and nutrients it needs to help make it grow. So when the feeder roots rot away, of course the tree can't absorb as much and it weakens it and it could gradually cause its death over a few years."

Crowell says the best way to remove broken branches from the snow is to cut them at the trunk instead of leaving a stub.

He adds that a stub will die and leave an avenue for insects and disease to get into the tree.