Friends of STO fund supports greenway tree work

Tree thinning on the Sound To Olympics Trail heralds a healthier greenway for Winslow’s “linear park.” 

Spindly, underperforming and dying trees are being removed along a stretch of the STO’s Winslow Connector, between Winslow Way and the ravine bridge south of Vineyard Lane. 

Those remaining trees will enjoy healthier long-term growth, and native shrubs below will thrive better.

 “Hotter and drier summers are testing the health of island forests,” says Barb Trafton, Parks Foundation Projects Director.  “The thinning of overcrowded stands of trees by removing spindly, shaded ones allows more air and water circulation for the remaining trees, boosting opportunities for biodiversity along the STO greenway.’

The select thinning was approved by the City of Bainbridge Island. The project is funded through the Parks Foundation’s Friends of the STO Trail Fund, which supports greenway stewardship in partnership with the City. 

Now entering its third year, the STO ecological restoration project has seen hundreds of additional native trees and shrubs planted along the greenway, as well as the removal of invasive species, including Himalayan blackberry, Scotch broom, and English ivy. Adding mulch is helping with moisture retention and suppression of invasives.

The tree work began over the holidays but was interrupted by snow. Work resumes Jan. 20 and should be completed within a day or two.