Vashon Forest Stewards completed a thinning operation at the school district’s 50-acre forest, pulling out Douglas firs, alders and madrones that will be used to accent the new high school building.

The thinning was done for both ecological and safety reasons: Some of the trees were considered a potential hazard to students who run, bike and even study in the woods. The woods were also too dense for good forest health, said Dave Warren, who heads Vashon Forest Stewards.

The operation, completed last week, resulted in about six truckloads going to mills off-Island and six staying on-Island, where the Forest Stewards will mill the logs for high-end use in the school. The organization will spend a couple of months milling the logs, its biggest job to date, Warren said.

“There couldn’t be anything more satisfying to me,” Warren said. “This is the ultimate project. … We’re pleased, we’re proud, we’re excited to do it.”