The City of Gig Harbor cut down 18 maple trees at the on Rosedale Street NW on Wednesday. City administrator Rob Karlinsey said the maple trees, which are considered invasive plants, were crowding out the historic holly orchard.
"These trees weren't big ones, but we had to make a choice, and we decided to save the holly orchard," Public Works Superintendent Marco Malich said. By removing the maple trees, it'll provide more sunlight to benefit the health and growth of the holly trees, according to Malich.
He said this was the initial step in preserving the holly orchard.
"(Due to budget constraints), this is what we can do for now," he said. The city plans to continue the process throughout the next several years to maintain the park.
Despite the absence of the trees, Malich said the maples will still "remain" at the park. He said the wood chips will be available at Wilkinson Farm Park for the community gardeners to use for their garden.
