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Tree Thinning Planned for Camp Tuckahoe

To ensure that Camp Tuckahoe remains safe for all campers and visitors,  a major tree thinning is planned for Camp Tuckahoe this fall and winter.  The  York-Adams Area Council has hired a forest consultant to mark trees for removal that pose a potential risk to campers and visitors.

Over the past few years, thousands of dollars have been spent to remove hazardous limbs from the campsites but a substantial number of  hazardous trees  continue to develop annually. 

While there will always be a need for ongoing maintenance of the trees at Tuckahoe, our goal with this work is to do everything we can to a avoid a possible injury to anyone while at camp.    There are annual news reports on people being seriously or fatality injured by falling trees that stands as a testament to the danger. 

Some of the dead trees have developed after the new construction of underground utilities.  Camp Tuckahoe has a large population of scarlet oak and red oak tree species that  continually have large dead branches that die as the tree grows.

After the trees are removed the camp will have larger campsites for our growing camping population.   The open campsite canopy will be a significant change in the appearance of the campsites throughout camp property.   We expect the tents to dry faster after summer rains with the sunlight streaming in on the tent sites.  This will make the tents last for a longer period of time.

Winter camp operation will remain open during the tree thinning.  No tree thinning will occur during the weekends while campers are present. We are working with Glatfelter Company to remove trees with as much care as possible to minimize the damage to other trees and the campsites.  Specific campsite availability will change each week as we clear each campsite of hazards.

While visiting Camp Tuckahoe you may see all the campsite tent platforms have been stacked to avoid any damage.   Trees marked by our forestry consultant with a blue slash pose a risk and are marked for removal.  After a campsite has been thinned and the hazardous trees removed you will find tree tops behind the campsite to be used for firewood and wildlife habitat.  We plan to make wood chips in the campsite of many of the small branches that will be   left after the trees and the tree tops are removed from the campsite.  

All tree thinning will end by the first week in April 2006 as not to do any damage to any new spring vegetation and ground cover.  The additional sun light will permit new smaller and safer seedling trees to develop in the campsite as the forest regenerates.