SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — The large pile of trees collected after being knocked down by post-tropical storm Dorian won’t be going anywhere until at least late summer, said the director of municipal services for the City of Summerside.
“There are options being explored and being discussed,” said Greg Gaudet.
The substantial woodpile is in a field near the wind turbines north of the city and contains the trunks and branches removed in the fall clean up after Dorian.
As a result of the heavy, sustained storm, trees and branches came down in abundance.
Volunteers and city staff worked to trim, pick up and remove the debris, and now a pile measuring around 20 feet tall and the area of half a football field is sitting in a fallow field waiting for further treatment.
“It probably has to sit to season, as they say, to dry out a bit,” said Gaudet.
The soonest work to dispose of the pile would be late summer, “if all goes well”.
Wood chipping companies have walked away from the material because of all the mud and dirt in the storm waste.
The grit would cause too much wear on the equipment. A grinder machine might have better luck, said Gaudet, but nothing is decided yet. Before any work begins, Gaudet will consult with the province, local fire officials and council first.
