Tree Thinning on P.B. Trail

A tree thinning project to improve safety along a nine-mile segment of the Paul Bunyan State Trail will continue through the first week in November. Crews will work their way south from Backus to Pine River, trimming branches and removing dead trees. The trail will remain open while this work is being done, but trail users should exercise caution around the tree trimmers and their equipment.

The goal is to minimize risks to bicyclists by maintaining open sightlines at trail crossings and creating openings in the foliage to allow better light penetration and air movement. That will permit the trail surface, which is slippery when wet, to dry faster after a rain. Tree thinning will also reduce impacts from certain tree species, such as balm of Gilead, whose roots can lift and crack the asphalt trail if left unattended, creating a potential safety hazard.

The Paul Bunyan State Trail is paved for more than 100 miles between Brainerd and Bemidji. Primarily located on a former Burlington Northern Railroad grade, the trail is generally level and is wheelchair accessible, except for the nine-mile segment through the Chippewa National Forest. In addition to biking, popular uses of the trail include hiking and in-line skating in the summer, and snowmobiling in winter.