NEWPORT — Lincoln County crews cut down five Cypress trees from the north lawn of the courthouse over the weekend that were growing into the building and had rotting, diseased limbs potentially threatening people and property.
The five trees, all Leyland cypresses, were planted as part of a beautification effort during the 1980s, the county said.
The trees’ limbs had begun to grow into the north face of the courthouse, and some limbs were splintering and splitting. The trees were also leaning to the east and in peril of toppling. When workers used a lift to begin cutting them from the top down, they found extensive disease and rot, said Mike Copp, the county’s facilities and maintenance manager.
The logs will be used by the county parks department for trail enhancement.