Cedar Removal Along Nebraska Roadways Focus of State Agency

By James Ed. Ducey

An ongoing program by the Nebraska Department of Roads continues to remove invasive and unwanted cedar trees from the right-of-way along the state's roadways.

The project was initiated in the autumn of 2004, when the state agency "realized that the spread of eastern red cedar trees had picked-up during the ongoing drought," said Art Thompson, a highway landscape architect.

All district maintenance superintendents were notified to increase their emphasis on control of the red cedar statewide, and especially in the Sand Hills, according to a mid-November directive.

At the same time, "emphasis was also placed on removal of smaller cedar seedlings by mowing when small enough not to damage equipment. This would occur during scheduled mowing of the entire right-of-way which can occur every 3 to 5 years depending on the area of the state," Thompson said.

"Directions indicated to begin with removal of trees producing seed and then begin to thin the cedar trees to a spacing of no closer than 50 foot apart." All trees closer than 35 feet were to be removed.

"It would be my hope that by setting this example on public right-of-way, adjacent property owners will incorporate similar procedures on their property," Thompson said.

In some areas, all of the invasive trees are removed. Notable roadways where extensive cedar removal has been done include Highway 20 between Ainsworth and Valentine. Many trees are have been taken from the predominantly grass range westward from Valentine towards Merriman. In this section, only a few trees needed to be removed to eradicate the unwanted growth.

There is a large variety of ownership along the state's highways and scenic byways, including acreages, farms and ranches, towns and hamlets or various sizes, and national wildlife refuges. The Cowboy Trail corridor runs for more than 300 miles along Highway 20 in northern Nebraska.

The NDOR also has a "long standing program to remove potential large growing woody plant material for the lateral obstacle clearance area adjacent to all highways as a safety measure to maintain good visibility and a safe recovery area on the roadside. This includes cedar trees and is an ongoing procedure." Before any trees are cleared, they are checked to ensure no bird nests or eggs are disturbed.

"It is hoped that the long term benefit of this work will be to broaden the diversity of native species of animals and plants along the roadside as well as at mitigation sites and on adjacent private property," Thompson said. "The key is everyone needs to do their part."