The recent windstorm has many property owners wondering what to do with downed or damaged trees.
Homeowners removing their own tree debris can take it to the Anchorage Wood Lot, located at the South Anchorage Sports Park near Klatt and C Street.
The lot is open Thursday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The cost is $10 per pickup load for brush, $25 each for large stumps and $12 per yard for wood chips. The prices apply to both residential and commercial users.
Debris brought to the Anchorage Wood Lot must be clean, natural wood only, with no grass, leaves, compost material, rocks, gravel, construction materials, lumber, metal or garbage.
Two free woodlots are open for non-commercial use in the municipality.
The Eagle River Wood Lot is located at the Anchorage Regional Landfill just off Hiland Road. It is open Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Girdwood Wood Lot is at the Industrial Park on Ruane Road, on the way to the solid waste transfer station. It is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Rules for the Eagle River and Girdwood lots are similar to those at the Anchorage Wood Lot. However, material can be no longer than 6 feet and, in Girdwood, no bigger than 8 inches in diameter.
All wood, brush or woody debris must come "from the clearing of defensible space from wildfire;" no lot clearing. No stumps, flatbed or dump style commercial vehicles are allowed and no one may scavenge or gather firewood. Trailers may be used.
The Alaska Division of Forestry recommends hiring an arborist to evaluate damaged trees.
Reach Mike Dunham at mdunham@adn.com or 257-4332.
By MIKE DUNHAM
Anchorage Daily News