JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) – According to the Natchez Park Service (NPS), work will begin on August 26 to remove hazardous trees along the Natchez Trace Parkway in Central Mississippi.

The work will occur in along the Natchez Trace in Clinton, Ridgeland and Madison.

NPS hired professional arborists to assess and remove potential hazard trees after a prolonged drought allowed a pine beetle infestation that killed a significant number of trees in 2023.

“The National Park Service preserves forest habitat for all plants and animals, however the drought caused many hazardous trees for our neighbors,” said Natural Resource Program Manager Deanna Boensch, “The trees will be removed to protect life and property. Once the trees are felled to the ground, they will be allowed to decompose naturally providing habitat for wildlife.”

Most of the trees impacted by the drought were loblolly pines. Work is expected to be completed by the end of September.

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