ODOT clears trees along Interstate 90

Warren Dillaway, Star Beacon, Ashtabula, Ohio
·2 min read

Apr. 27—Motorists traveling along Interstate 90 may have wondered why so many trees were cut down in the last several months.

The answer is trees can be cut between Nov. 1 and April 1 in the Ohio Department of Transportation right of way. After April 1, there is a moratorium on cutting of the trees because of concerns about Indiana bat habitat, said Justin Chesnic, a public information officer with the Ohio Department of Transportation.

The Indiana bat is an endangered species and has been protected under the Endangered Species Act since 1967. Questions related to the Indiana bat habitat were a concern when Lakeside High School was built in the early 2000s.

During the winter, the bats migrate to hibernate in Ohio and surrounding states, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

The reason the trees are allowed to be cut in the winter is the bats are on their migratory ventures to caves, according to the ODNR website.

The bats can fly as far as 320 miles and generally gather in clusters that can contain as many as 400 bats.

"It's an endangered species. You have to be careful," Chesnic said. "We cut as many as we can by April 1."

The trees in question are located on the roadside and the fence line owned by ODOT. He said the trees can't be taken down during the spring and summer because of concerns about the bat habitat.

Many of the trees were cut in March, and crews are now getting around to handling the debris, Chesnic said.

"Many of the trees were dead and created a potential danger for motorists," Chesnic said.

Another reason to get rid of the trees is to make sure there is a widened canopy that allows light to hit the road surface. He said this warms the road during winter and reduces ice and snow on the roadway.

"The sun keeps it warm," he said.

The tree weaning is done on ODOT roads periodcally, but not necessarily every year, Chesnic said. He said the process may occur on Route 11 one year and Interstate 90 another year.

"It may not be Interstate 90 every year," he said.