MDOT: Route 105 tree cutting, trimming underway ahead of paving, culvert work
A Maine Department of Transportation tree crew works along Route 105 in Camden, near Carle Farm Road, Tuesday morning. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)
(Photo by Holly S. Edwards)
Pink ribbons are for trees that will be trimmed and yellow ribbons are for trees that will be cut down. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)
This small, dead tree rests on a utility line along Route 105 in Camden Tuesday morning. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)
(Photo by Holly S. Edwards)
This area along Route 105 in Camden, near Potter Road and Bog Bridge, is a preserve owned by Coastal Mountains Land Trust. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)
A Maine Department of Transportation tree crew works along Route 105 in Camden, near Carle Farm Road, Tuesday morning. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)
(Photo by Holly S. Edwards)
Pink ribbons are for trees that will be trimmed and yellow ribbons are for trees that will be cut down. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)
This small, dead tree rests on a utility line along Route 105 in Camden Tuesday morning. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)
(Photo by Holly S. Edwards)
This area along Route 105 in Camden, near Potter Road and Bog Bridge, is a preserve owned by Coastal Mountains Land Trust. (Photo by Holly S. Edwards)
APPLETON-HOPE-CAMDEN — A Maine Department of Transportation tree crew is nearing the final leg of an 11.3-mile stretch of work on Route 105, which is the precursor to fall road paving between Appleton and Camden.
More than a month ago, yellow and pink ribbons appeared on dozens of trees and limbs on both sides of Route 105. According to MDOT Region Engineer Jamie Andrews, the yellow ribbons mark trees slated to be cut down and the pink ribbons indicate trimming work to be done.
"The trimming is to remove overhang, and we're taking down dead trees as well as those that are hazards to fall, or that are too close to the road, or that the property owner has asked us to take down while we are doing the other work," said Andrews.
The tree work began approximately mid-April, and Andrews said it should continue until no later than mid-June. They began in Appleton and have been making their way toward Camden, with a crew seen working near Carle Farm Road Tuesday morning.
"We do talk to property owners and if they are really heartbroken about a tree, we try to work with them and make considerations," said Andrews. "For example a farmer at the intersection of routes 131 and 105 was very sensitive about his trees, so we worked together to selectively cut only certain trees."
In some cases, the crews leave the wood behind for property owners who can use it, or who just want it. Some of the trees are nothing more than saplings, while other are huge trees, Andrews said, and could cost a lot of money to take down or remove privately if they were to come down in a storm.
"We hire professional tree cutters to do the work, including Asphlund and Marston's," said Andrews.
Andrews said a map of the work to be done is on file with each town's tree warden, and can be looked at by the public.
The MDOT is in the process of applying for permits for the post-tree cutting and post-paving work, and that will be for ditch and culvert work along that stretch of Route 105.
"I'm not sure if we are doing the culvert work this year or next year at this stage," said Andrews.
Reach Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com and 207-706-6655.
Event Date
Address
United States
