Kopachuck trees memorialized

Last June we wrote about the dilemma facing Washington State Parks' officials when a tree disease was discovered in Kopachuck State Park. The disease made it hazardous for folks to stay in the park, as diseased trees could fall without notice. What to do? Close the park until the situation sorted itself out, taking a period of years, or cut the diseased trees down?

Park officials took the public pulse and decided it was better to cut the trees down and reopen the park. But those majestic evergreen trees are close to the heart of the people, and so one official with feelings went a step farther than just saying, "Fire up the chain saws!" State Parks Commissioner, Pat Lantz, felt a stirring within herself and called up an artist friend and told her of the impending demise of Kopachuck's trees.

“When Pat told me about the situation, the image that came to my mind was of intertwined roots, of all the trees’ roots connected together,” Robin Peterson told a reporter from The Kitsap Sun. “I knew I wanted to bear witness to this sad process, even though it’s a natural thing.” Peterson contacted other artists and they put together a gathering of art folks to record the giant trees before the arrival of the woodsman and his ax.

The artists have put together an exhibit of their work entitled, “Intertwined — Requiem for the Trees,” that will be shown at Gig Harbor, Washington's Harbor History Museum. We'll update you when the dates for the show are released.

UPDATE 9/15/2011: Robin Peterson tells us that the show dates are set. "Intertwined, Requiem for the Trees" exhibit will be held at the Harbor History Museum September 30th through October 17th. A reception will be held on Friday, September 30th from 5:30 - 7:30 pm.

photo: kitsapsun.com