Hard Rock Tree Felling????

[heidi]

At the outskirts of the Hard Rock trail there are a LOT of trees down...this is close to the utility construction that has been underway for some time. One of the trees and its branches cut off a large section of trail and force you to hike it over brush and logs. It appears perhaps that some trees were pulled down, and others were cut. It looks very different out there from just a few weeks ago. All through the park in that area there are trees with orange ties on them.

It also looks like some of the brush along the Black Hill trail (the wide double track close to the park center) has been sprayed with a defoliant. There's a lot of brown brush in some areas.

Does anybody know the grand plan involving all this?

[heidi]

It also looks like some of the brush along the Black Hill trail (the wide double track close to the park center) has been sprayed with a defoliant. There's a lot of brown brush in some areas.

Does anybody know the grand plan involving all this?
There is a sign stating they are treating for non-native invasive species (Kudzu vine), that chokes native species, and will replant with native species if necessary. They really killed a lot!