A Twin Cities man working in a northern Minnesota forest was struck by one of the trees he was bringing down and killed, authorities said Friday.

The man, 59, of Wayzata, was doing contract work for the U.S. Forest Service early Thursday afternoon just north of the Birch Lake Campground in the Superior National Forest, when he was hit as he tried to get out of the way, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

His identity was being withheld pending notification of family.

State workplace safety officials were notified of the death and joined in the investigation.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482