Hazard Trees

 

(What do the marks on the trees mean?)

Everything the cabin owner needs to know about hazard trees

The special use permits we all signed make us responsible for any tree on or off our lot that might fall and damage our cabin, deck, shed, or other improvement on our lot.

PG&E Responsibility Trees (logging to start on white X trees in Eldorado National Forest Oct 10, ’24)

However, if the tree could fall on a PG&E primary line, then PG&E will remove the tree.  Power lines going to a single cabin are not considered primary lines, but…   

  • If the line comes off the main pole and then splits to serve two or more cabins, the part before the split is considered primary and PG&E will take trees that might fall on that part.
  • Use PG&E’s Report It app for secondary lines.  These reports go to the construction side of PG&E.  They would rather take care of the tree before it falls.  If it falls and takes down the line, there is then live power on the ground and they need to take care of it ASAP.  Depending on the situation, the construction side may not take care of the tree but we’ve been told most of the time they do. 

RCD Responsibility Trees

After the Caldor Fire, the Forest Service, FS, issued a contract to the El Dorado County Resource Conservation District, RCD, to fund the Eldorado National Forest Roadside Hazard Abatement Program Project.  RCD’s contractors have marked many trees in the Caldor Fire footprint.  Dead or dying trees less than 14″ across at shoulder height are not marked but will be removed.  RCD has a Dashboard to show progress.  The original scope was to take care of hazard trees within 200 feet of FS roads in Eldorado NF.  However, there is not enough funding to complete the entire project.  Stay tuned, there are efforts to secure more funding.

OK, I have a tree that neither PG&E nor RCD will take, now what?

Get permission from your permit administrator for you or a contractor to fell the tree

  • Placerville District – email sm.fs.pvl-rec-res@usda.gov Include a picture, the diameter at shoulder height, the approximate height and species if known.
  • Pacific District – email jack.lucido@usda.gov or call 530-644-2349.  They will come out and mark the tree(s)
  • Amador District – email colleen.sloan@usda.gov or call 209-259-3774.  They will come out and mark the tree(s)
  • LTBMU – details coming soon

PG&E and RCD Hazard Trees Markings

Notes:

  • There are many inconsistencies in how trees have been marked and different shades of colors. 
  • For trees near Highway 50 CalTrans is responsible.  If you have a picture of their markings please send it to paul.hugo@gmail.com
  • In general, every tree marked is put into a database with GPS coordinates.  Which means “unmarking” or marking extra trees is likely to be noticed and ignored
  • These are primarily for the Placerville Ranger Station, but may apply also to Pacific and Amador


Click the image to enlarge
 

PG&E Contractors

ACRT Logo

Tree assessment and marking contractor, ’24
TSU Logo

Tree Service Unlimited
Tree removal contractor, ’24
Note: if TSU can not get all the white X trees in ’24, PG&E may contract to Mountain Enterprises to help.

 

RCD and RCD’s subcontractors

RCD

 
  Sierra Valley Enterprises LLC, SVE – RCD’s prime contractor for the Roadside Hazard Tree project
Mountain Enterprises Logo One of SVE’s subcontractors for tree removal
<bgsound src="musicfile.mp3" loop="infinite">

            

            

                        
            
            
assignment_turned_in Registrations
No Registration form is selected.
(Click on the star on form card to select)
Please login to view this page.
Please login to view this page.
Please login to view this page.