EPHRAIM—The Utah Department of Transportation has temporarily halted plans to remove black willow trees on the west side of U.S. 89 between 300 North and 600 North. The work had been scheduled as part of a public safety maintenance effort.

According to UDOT spokesman Kevin Kitchen, several trees in the corridor are in declining condition, with dead limbs and falling debris creating potential hazards for motorists and pedestrians, especially during high winds and severe weather.

“The trees along this stretch of highway are clearly dying,” Kitchen said. “As trees begin to die and rot, they can split and become a very serious hazard. During wind and storm events branches often break loose and fall onto the highway and sidewalk, creating potential safety hazards for travelers.”

Kitchen said two Ephraim residents raised concerns about the trees’ possible historic value after UDOT began work along Main Street.

“When UDOT began removing trees, two citizens raised questions about the trees’ potential historical value,” Kitchen said. “UDOT takes concerns seriously and immediately consulted its internal environmental team. After the internal review, UDOT paused the maintenance work to allow time for a more rigorous historical evaluation and to avoid any potential conflicts with the nesting season of certain migratory bird species.”

The added review will consider the historical significance of the tree-lined street, the nearby historic homes and possible environmental concerns.

Ephraim City Manager Katie Witt said the city expected more response than it received.

“UDOT informed us that this was going to happen,” Witt said. “So, when they sent out a flyer talking about it, we posted that as a courtesy to let people know. We were prepping for an onslaught of comment, and we didn’t get that onslaught.”

Kitchen said transportation officials also will assess possible impacts on wildlife, including migratory birds that may be nesting in the trees. He said the environmental review will take two to three months before a final decision is made.

“UDOT will allow internal environmental teams to complete their review and recommend any further necessary actions,” Kitchen said. “The environmental review should take about two to three months. Afterward, UDOT will decide whether to resume this important maintenance work to improve highway safety.”

A long history of willows in Ephraim

Sanpete County essayist Kesty Thursby Szakacs contacted the Sanpete Messenger with information from Saga of Sanpitch about the willow trees on Main Street. Szakacs described them as a landmark “for over a century.” She said botany experts identified the trees as black willows, which thrive in Sanpete Valley.

Szakacs wrote, “It was not unusual to see pioneers walking away from the mouth of Willow Creek Canyon, where the trees were first planted, with many starts to be planted. They not only planted them along roads but also over the valley where flowing wells were. That way they marked where water was, and the pioneers knew where to dig for water for farming.”

Willow trees were often planted by early settlers as markers of dependable water sources for farming, including wells, springs and irrigation ditches. Because willows thrive in moist soil, settlers also used them to help stabilize ditch banks in agricultural areas such as Sanpete Valley. Over time, the trees became landmarks tied to Ephraim’s farming heritage and early settlement history.

Szakacs also wrote that Olaf Thursby and his family helped establish Ephraim’s natural landscaping by planting black willows and a black locust tree near what is now U.S. 89 on the north end of the city near the cemetery.