The series consists of general hazard tree correspondence and memoranda and records pertaining to more specific hazard tree mitigation projects. When trees are identified as hazardous to people or property within the park, foresters may decide to cut them down depending on the circumstances.

Cutting down trees in a national park may seem to contradict park values, but in reality it has been a common function of the Forestry and Vegetation Management Branches of national parks when trees become hazardous to people and park property. Series III, Hazard Tree Mitigation, documents such occurrences. Within the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, sequoia trees are no longer cut down. In 1967, the felling by the park service of a sequoia tree threatening concession housing in Giant Forest was a major factor in the movement towards the restoration of Giant Forest and the relocation of concessions and overnight lodging. Instead of cutting down sequoias, as happened in 1950 and 1967, now people and property are moved instead. But in cases of non-Sequoia trees becoming hazardous to people and park property, they may be monitored or cut down by tree crews.

Of note, there are also related materials within Series 11 of the Central Files 1935 – 2001 collection. Tom Warner pulled records from the central files for his purposes as park forester. Some of these files predate Tom Warner’s work in the park. They have been returned to the central files and can be found there.