# Environmental Correctness Gone Amok: What to do with a fallen tree? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 1, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-correctness-gone-amok-what-to-do-with-a-fallen-tree/601535 "2011-11-01T19:17:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-correctness-gone-amok-what-to-do-with-a-fallen-tree/601535/1 "2011-11-01T19:17:01Z")
Ok, what does the average, reasonable person do when a tree falls on their property? Answer: cut it up and remove it or maybe make firewood. What does our Federal Gov. do about a tree in a National Forrest? Right now they are stumped. šŸ˜› A lot of head & ass scratching, and no ideas. Dude the tree is dead. Itā€™s starting to rot. You canā€™t hug it anymore. Put your dick away, zip up your pants, and get a chainsaw. This is just embarrassing. Have we really become this indecisive and silly? > **[Giant sequoia falls, raising questions about what to do next](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-oct-29-la-me-fallen-sequoia-20111029-story.html)** > > Giant sequoia falls, raising questions about what to do next _Really? this is a difficult problem? Itā€™s a dead frigging tree._ > [@](#): > > When youā€™re dealing with a 1,500-year-old sequoia in a national monument, the questions arenā€™t just logistical. Theyā€™re environmental, emotive and potentially legal. > > Officials closed the popular tourist trail, cleared the debris and solicited ideas from the public on how to deal with the fallen giant ā€” actually two trees fused at the base. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2011, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-correctness-gone-amok-what-to-do-with-a-fallen-tree/601535/2 "2011-11-01T19:29:25Z")
When a tree falls in the forest and someone is there to hear it, it makes one heck of a racket! My vote, cut a hole/tunnel through it. If the cut is smooth and they clearseal it, the rings would be especially interesting to see. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2011, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-correctness-gone-amok-what-to-do-with-a-fallen-tree/601535/3 "2011-11-01T19:36:10Z")
I like that idea. Iā€™d cut and remove all the tree and leave a forty foot block of the trunk on each side of the trail. So people could see the rings and get an idea of the enormous breadth of the tree. The sequoias are very impressive. It is a shame this one fell. ---
**Author:** ![Cryptic\_C62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Cryptic\_C62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cryptic_C62)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2011, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-correctness-gone-amok-what-to-do-with-a-fallen-tree/601535/4 "2011-11-01T19:54:46Z")
I canā€™t believe I bothered clicking on the video of the tree falling. It was a 15-second advertisement followed by a 4-second snippet of tree movement which did not in any way inform me as to what happened. _headdesk_ ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2011, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-correctness-gone-amok-what-to-do-with-a-fallen-tree/601535/5 "2011-11-01T19:57:13Z")
Itā€™s not a dead tree, itā€™s habitat, and a learning opportunity, and a chance at publicity for the park. Clearing downed trees reduces the diversity of the parkā€™s ecosystem. Clearing this particular tree would remove an opportunity for visitors to touch and see up close the whole tree from top to bottom. You get a slightly different perspective on a tree thatā€™s laying down. And seeing one than crashed down on the path, crushing a bridge, is a little more exciting that seeing one just growing there. And by soliciting comments from the public, it gets the park publicity and public involvement that they wouldnā€™t have if they just cleared the thing away quickly. Plus they probably donā€™t have funds immediately available to either cut it up or produce the documents needed to bid out and oversee the removal. Whatever they finally decide to do, itā€™s in the public interest for them to do it slowly. ---
**Author:** ![Al\_Bundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@Al\_Bundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al_Bundy)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2011, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-correctness-gone-amok-what-to-do-with-a-fallen-tree/601535/6 "2011-11-01T20:15:46Z")
Iā€™d favor a path bridge over the tree. Now if it had to be wheelchair friendly it would need to be somewhat long on the approaches, but the ā€œgubmentā€ can afford anything. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2011, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-correctness-gone-amok-what-to-do-with-a-fallen-tree/601535/7 "2011-11-01T20:36:02Z")
I can say without question that walking the Trail of 100 Giants is awesome experience. From a visitorā€™s perspective, Iā€™d be really upset if I drove all the way up there only to discover that the trail was closed. I think the best bet would be to cut a section out wide enough to free up use of the pathway. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2011, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-correctness-gone-amok-what-to-do-with-a-fallen-tree/601535/8 "2011-11-01T21:15:34Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Dude the tree is dead. Itā€™s starting to rot. You canā€™t hug it anymore. Put your dick away, zip up your pants, and get a chainsaw. Well, ideallyā€¦you leave it to decay naturally. But as I have seen many times before, you cut out a four foot section where the path is and leave the rest. Why not take the four foot section and cut that into one foot sections and sell them to museums/exhibitions/scientists/etc. to pay for the material and labor to repair the trail? The rest (97 or 98%) of it should be left to promote the habitat. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2011, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-correctness-gone-amok-what-to-do-with-a-fallen-tree/601535/9 "2011-11-01T22:09:56Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > Itā€™s not a dead tree, itā€™s habitat, and a learning opportunity, and a chance at publicity for the park. Clearing downed trees reduces the diversity of the parkā€™s ecosystem. Clearing this particular tree would remove an opportunity for visitors to touch and see up close the whole tree from top to bottom. You get a slightly different perspective on a tree thatā€™s laying down. And seeing one than crashed down on the path, crushing a bridge, is a little more exciting that seeing one just growing there. > > And by soliciting comments from the public, it gets the park publicity and public involvement that they wouldnā€™t have if they just cleared the thing away quickly. Plus they probably donā€™t have funds immediately available to either cut it up or produce the documents needed to bid out and oversee the removal. Whatever they finally decide to do, itā€™s in the public interest for them to do it slowly. Agree. I do also like the idea of cutting a pathway through it too. But removing it entirely should be a last resort, if even an option. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2011, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-correctness-gone-amok-what-to-do-with-a-fallen-tree/601535/10 "2011-11-02T12:06:38Z")
Like others have said, dead trees are a vital part of the ecosystem whether standing or fallen. It is not environmental correctness gone amok - whatever that means? ---
**Author:** ![Khendrask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@Khendrask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khendrask)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-correctness-gone-amok-what-to-do-with-a-fallen-tree/601535/11 "2011-11-03T12:30:31Z")
Chop it up into lumber and build decks out of it. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-correctness-gone-amok-what-to-do-with-a-fallen-tree/601535/12 "2011-11-03T13:09:49Z")
> [@chela](#): > > Like others have said, dead trees are a vital part of the ecosystem whether standing or fallen. It is not environmental correctness gone amok - whatever that means? Indeed, and this being such a large fallen tree only confirms Darwinā€™s assertion that God is inordinately fond of beetles. Leave it be. Cut through it to keep the path in situ if necessary. There is hardly even a problem here, let alone ā€˜Environmental Correctness Gone Amokā€™ ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-correctness-gone-amok-what-to-do-with-a-fallen-tree/601535/13 "2011-11-03T13:29:02Z")
Hollow it out and build a diner and gift shop inside. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-correctness-gone-amok-what-to-do-with-a-fallen-tree/601535/14 "2011-11-03T13:40:06Z")
Build a bridge out of her! ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-correctness-gone-amok-what-to-do-with-a-fallen-tree/601535/15 "2011-11-03T14:31:31Z")
Winterā€™s coming - somebody must need firewood. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-correctness-gone-amok-what-to-do-with-a-fallen-tree/601535/16 "2011-11-03T18:08:53Z")
By environmental correctness I was referring to the Parks Serviceā€™s inability to handle a routine maintenance issue. They should have handled this the very next day. Cut a section out of the dead tree and clear the trail. Then decide later if the tree stays or goes. This is an internal decision. Instead we have paralysis. We have statements about it being a big decision with major consequences. It gets in the paper. The public is asked for suggestions. See the OP for specific quote. We pay these people to manage this wildlife resource. Not pee their pants because a tree falls in the forest. The tree huggers have them scared to even handle a simple maintenance issue in a park. > [@chela](#): > > Like others have said, dead trees are a vital part of the ecosystem whether standing or fallen. It is not environmental correctness gone amok - whatever that means? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-correctness-gone-amok-what-to-do-with-a-fallen-tree/601535/17 "2011-11-03T18:12:17Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Instead we have paralysis. Because it is a problem of critical importance, demanding immediate action! ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-correctness-gone-amok-what-to-do-with-a-fallen-tree/601535/18 "2011-11-03T18:16:51Z")
Actually it does require immediate action. That National Park gets thousands of visitors a day from all over the world. Right now that trail is closed because one tree fell. I visited that park and saw those giant trees in 1990. Fantastic experience. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-correctness-gone-amok-what-to-do-with-a-fallen-tree/601535/19 "2011-11-03T18:18:49Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Right now that trail is closed because one tree fell. And what is the worst that could happen as a result? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-correctness-gone-amok-what-to-do-with-a-fallen-tree/601535/20 "2011-11-03T18:25:52Z")
A lot of disappointed tourists? For some of these people a trip to California is a once in a lifetime thing. Iā€™ve only been to the state twice and Iā€™m almost fifty. That visit to the park in 1990 will probably be my only time. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-correctness-gone-amok-what-to-do-with-a-fallen-tree/601535.md?page=2)