Herbicide killing Saugatuck trees

SAUGATUCK, Mich. (WOOD) - Hundreds of dead trees are making the normally plush Mount Baldhead dune a sad site -- and it was an herbicide meant to protect the trees that killed them.

A conservation group was using a $700,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to protect the environment -- but the best of intentions ended up having a negative effect.

As you glance up the steep stairs at the foot of Saugatuck's Mount Baldhead dune, it's 's easy to see why people love it for its beauty and health benefits. The view from the top is spectacular.

But the landscape is suffering. Trees are rotting and the ground is brown.

"This just looks empty compared to what it was," said resident Pam Rexius. "It was just beautiful. And this was my exercise haven."

"It's a shame," agreed resident Lee Wagner.

The Land Conservancy of West Michigan began an herbicide spraying program in 2010 using a product called Imazapyr or "Habitat" (pdf). The chemical was designed to protect the dune by killing the invasive vine Oriental Bittersweet, which was choking the trees to death.

But as it turns out, the cure killed the patient, leaving hundreds of trees dying on the dune.

"It's very concerning for the city of Saugatuck and the Land Conservancy," said Saugatuck City Manager Kirk Harrier.

Harrier says the Land Conservancy has been proactive, up front and transparent. He said it is working closely with the city to solve the problem, collecting soil samples and running tests.

And while nothing can reverse the herbicide effects, the conservancy and city are waiting until spring to see how much chemical remains, how many trees rebloom and how much replanting needs to be done.

Michigan State University scientists have determined there is absolutely no threat to wells or groundwater, according to Vaughn Maatman, executive director of the Land Conservancy.

"We're very confident in what the Land Conservancy of West Michigan has researched and there is no possibility of that," Harrier said.

But some have other worries.

"I'd hate to see a tree come down and damage the steps or anything like that," said resident Bill Lint. "Or anybody."

Scientists say many of the trees would have died anyway because of the invasive species. And they suspect the hot stretch and freeze in March and drought this summer added to the problem.

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Online:

The Land Conservancy of West Michigan