Caltrans is finding and marking dead trees that could potentially be unsafe for drivers near highways in several counties including Kern County. 

The goal is to address over 102 million trees that died due to drought and beetle infestation since 2010. 

The trees Caltrans plans on taking down are being marked with bright orange paint. Trees on private property are also being marked, and "permission to enter" forms are being mailed out to owners one to six months after trees are marked. 

Tree removal on private property is being done at no cost to owners since the dead trees affect the safety of drivers near highways.