The Las Vegas Optic reports state forestry officials told residents last week that the city’s well-stocked Siberian elms trees were ticking time bombs and were posing a danger to the community.
Of trees inventoried in Las Vegas, 40 percent were in fair condition, 34 percent were in poor condition and 12 percent were dead. Only 2 percent were considered excellent.
New Mexico State Forestry’s urban and community forestry program manager Jennifer Dann says more than one-tenth of Las Vegas’ trees surveyed are already dead, posing a threat of falling on people, pets, vehicles or structures.