The City of Columbia Falls recently had 11 ponderosa pine trees removed from Pinewood Park.

The trees died due to the use of a wrong herbicide between 2019-2021.  

In 2021, the city noticed the tree health deterioration and contacted state Department of Natural Resources and subsequently the Department of Agriculture. The trees continued to deteriorate and died.  

“The state conducted soil samples and determined the herbicide is the cause. The herbicide is primarily used along highway right of ways and was not meant to be applied in vicinity of trees,” city manager Eric Hanks said in an email to the Hungry Horse News. “The city no longer uses this herbicide for any application. The city attempted to restore the damage but it was too late for trees recently removed. The city continues to monitor the health of the other trees.” 

It cost $5,900 to have the 11 trees removed by a  contractor. 

Pinewood Park is one of the oldest parks in the city. 

Longtime resident Pete Darling recalled moving to the city in 1929 in a 2014 interview. That winter, the Darlings didn’t live in a house — there were none available to rent. The family lived in a tent in what is now Pinewood Park under its grove of Ponderosa pine trees. 

Some of the earliest Easter egg hunts in the city were also held in the park. 

Today the trees still provide shade and shelter to campers, as it also hosts the city pool and when there are home swim meets, people camp under the old trees.