Beavers destroy trees along North Shore trail

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — A local nonprofit spent time and money planting more than a dozen trees along the North Shore.

But now, they're gone. And not sawed -- but gnawed by beavers.

About a week ago, the 16 gnawed trunks surrounded by woodchips just feet from the river were thriving trees.

Ronald Rabatin isn’t surprised. He's seen the beavers before while walking nearby.

“It heard me coming and hit its tail and went down,” he said.

Channel 11 was there as the trees were first planted as part of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy's Red Bud project to beautify the area and improve the habitat. Director Jeffrey Bergman learned of the gnawing situation last week.

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He said it isn't a huge setback, although the large trees can cost close to $200.

“It seems like we've got a lot of wildlife coming back, which is a good thing,” Rabatin said. “The trees ... but they don't know, they're just beavers."

The conservancy hopes to replant the trees, but next time around they may have a little extra protection.

Cox Media Group