Category Archives: tree planting

E-mails needed now to increase tree retention and planting during development in Seattle’s Neighborhood Residential Zone

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E-mails needed now to increase tree retention and planting during development in Seattle’s Neighborhood Residential Zone

The Seattle City Council is working to adopt its CB 120985 – Comprehensive Plan and Council Bill 120993 to implement WA State HB 1110 allowing 4 to 6 plexes in Seattle’s Neighborhood Residential zones. Council Bill 120993 needs amendments to protect and plant more trees where people live if Seattle wants to reach its 30% canopy goal, address urban heat island impacts, reduce air pollution and stormwater runoff and keep our neighborhoods healthy where people live.

Please use the suggested comments to send an e-mail to the Seattle City Council and Mayor Harrell. You can cut and paste the comments below, pick and choose from the comments, and add your own thoughts.

The Seattle City Council has set a deadline for Council members to submit proposed amendments this Thursday, June 26, 2025.

Here are the amendments we are asking Councilmembers to submit:

  • Remove the “basic tree protection area” loophole in SMC 25.11.070 that lets developers remove large (Tier 2) trees. Use the tree protection area criteria in SMC 25.11.060 to give SDCI final authority on tree removals, not developers.
  • Give SDCI authority to decide on removal of Tier 3 and Tier 4 trees, not the developers as is currently done. Urban forests need to have trees of all ages to be sustainable and healthy.
  • Require lots have designated tree retention and planting areas.
  • Require a tree inventory and landscape plan be done at the beginning of the development process before approval of any building site plan is submitted.
  • The point system for planting trees on a lot allows all trees to be removed and replaced with saplings. Require that plans maximize the retention of existing healthy trees.
  • Require all trees removed over 6” DSH pay an in lieu mitigation fee for environmental services lost to the city, as well as replanting the removed trees either onsite or pay for off site planting to sustain our urban forest benefits to the city and its inhabitants.
  • Set up a Tree Replacement and Preservation Fund independent from SDCI’s budget to collect in lieu mitigation fees and for public donations and grants.
  • Require all new development projects, not just principal housing units, to have street trees. This includes ADU’s and building additions over 250 square feet.
  • Allow stacked flats to be built on all lots in the neighborhood residential zone, not just those over 6,000 square feet. Stacked flats would allow more open space to retain and plant trees.
  • Give incentives to build housing units with common shared walls to increase open space on lots for retaining and planting trees for environmental equity, climate resilience, reducing air pollution and storm water runoff.
  • Consolidate urban forest oversight and maintenance in a Dept. of Climate and Environment with an Urban Forestry Division independent from SDCI and other city Departments.
  • Amend canopy cover assessment in next Tree Canopy Study to include not just canopy area but also canopy volume.

Neither the proposed Comprehensive Plan nor CB 120993 give adequate oversight or protection for maintaining a thriving healthy urban forest over the long term. The current Tree Protection Ordinance was adopted prior to the current proposed Comprehensive Plan and new zoning proposed in CB120993. SMC 25.11 – the Tree Protection Ordinance needs to be reviewed and amended to address the increased loss of trees and urban forest ecosystem services under the current changes proposed.

Send comments to Council@Seattle.gov and Bruce.Harrell@Seattle.gov

Local Tree News, July 2, 2023

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Volunteer in a local park this week – Shoreline Area News, July 1

The long road to access at Willamette Falls – High Country News, June 29

Edmonds mayoral candidates lay out priorities – Edmonds Beacon, June 29

The Tree of Life Is Falling Down – Seattle Met, June 28

Edmonds Planning Board agenda for June 28 includes work session with tree board – MyEdmonds News, June 26

Local activists call for forest protection – MyEdmonds News, June 26

PNW primed for wildfire as officials prepare for likely active season – SeaTimes, June 26

OPINION | Seattle’s Tree Ordinance Is an Affront to Climate Justice – South Seattle Emerald, June 24

Watch the Video: Frozen Frontiers – Nature Conservancy, June 22

Habitat on Lasqueti Island (BC) protected with conservation covenant: Islands Trust – The Province, June 20

Saving lives from extreme heat: Lessons from the deadly 2021 Pacific Northwest heat wave – SeaPI, June 20

Stormwater Heatmap Milestone: Impervious Surfaces at one square meter resolution – Nature Conservancy WA, June 15

Reader view: Saving trees on Dayton Street – MyEdmonds News, June 15

LFP Public Hearing on tree canopy preservation and enhancement – Shoreline Area News, June 14

Methow conservation group buys 1,200 acres above Winthrop – SeaTimes, June 16

Follow up to trees cut down near RB Saltwater Park – Shoreline Area News, June 9

Land Commissioner Hilary Franz: Where there is heat – there is death – Shoreline Area News, June 8

Large trees at entrance to RB Saltwater Park cut down – Shoreline Area News, June 8

King County invites comment on Comprehensive Plan updates – Queen Anne & Magnolia News, June 8

Chris Eck seeks Edmonds City Council Position 1 – Edmonds Beacon, May 25

Local Tree News – May 29, 2023

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How wildfire risk is being managed in one WA forest – May 27, SeaTimes

City of Lynnwood releases results of Urban Forest Health Assessment – Lynnwood Today, May 27

Explore newly mapped trails in Seattle’s largest contiguous forest – May 26, SeaTimes

WEST SEATTLE PARKS: New ‘Tree Walk’ in Fauntleroy – West Seattle Blog, May 25

Tree Talk at Senior Center of West Seattle – West Seattle Blog, May 25

Seattle passes new tree ordinance amid calls to tweak legislation – KNKX, May 23

Seattle tree protection ordinance, years in the making, is up for a vote – SeaTimes, May 23

Seattle City Council passes tree ordinance after years of debate – SeaTimes, May 23

Seattle City Council passes new tree ordinance – May 23, Crosscut

Seattle speaks for its trees with overgrown set of new protections – Capitol Hill Blog, May 23

Applications invited for Edmonds Tree Board opening – MyEdmonds News May 22

Seattle’s proposed tree ordinance is the legislative equivalent of a chain saw – SeaTimes, May 19

Can Seattle balance its need for housing with its need for trees? – May 19, KNKX

‘Tree retention evaluation’ — City sorting out how to keep Cal Anderson’s maple trees and fix the sidewalk around the park – Capitol Hill Blog, May 17

Washington slates $50M for trees to shade salmon streams – May 16, Crosscut

Lake Forest Park neighbors denounce bus-lane plan that removes trees – SeaTimes, May 15

Reminder: Second community conversation about tree code updates scheduled May 15 – MyEdmonds News, May 13

Guest editorial: City should reconsider Discovery Park plan – May 11, Queen Anne News

City receives $29,500 grant to plant 100 street trees – MLT News, May 11

Keep funding projects that protect our state’s forests – Kitsap Sun, May 9

Bainbridge’s lip service to climate always yields to growth – Kitsap Sun, May 9

City Council considering more than 50 amendments to Seattle’s tree protections – Capitol Hill Blog, May 4

Living with Trees – Real Change News, May 3 (go Martha Baskin!)

Kubota Garden is a South Seattle gem. Keeping it free is a challenge – SeaTimes, May 2

Every Tree Helps – The Nature Conservancy and Tacoma’s GRIT, May 2

Sherwood state forest: Environmental impact – SeaTimes, April 28

Why must a small Mason County forest be harvested? – Kitsap Sun, April 28

WA budgets $2B to cut greenhouse gas emissions; here’s where money will go – SeaTimes April 27

Climate Action Shoreline: Act Now – Shoreline Area News, April 26

A ‘150-acre wonderland of forest and flowers’ awaits on Bainbridge Island – HeraldNet, April 26

Tell your Seattle City Council to pass strong tree protections – SeaTimes, April 25

Seattle can’t protect its urban forest without a census of its largest trees – SeaTimes, April 20

Careful tree thinning – April 19, Queen Anne News

5 types of all-season crabapples that thrive in the Pacific Northwest – SeaTimes, April 15

A trek into Spring in the mountains of eastern Washington – April 14, KNKX

WA, Seattle launch campaign to plant thousands of urban trees – SeaTimes, April 14

Washington launches new statewide tree-equity collaboration – April 13, Crosscut

Second annual Cherry Blossom Festival a blooming success – DailyUW, April 12

You might be responsible for a Seattle street tree and not know it – April 12, Crosscut

Podcast | Who owns the trees outside your window? – April 12, Crosscut

Forest Service wins Stillaguamish logging suit over conservation group – HeraldNet, April 12

Join the LFP tree board to plant a tree in Horizon View Park Saturday – Shoreline Area News, April 11

MEET JUSTIN URRESTI: TNC WASHINGTON’S WESTERN FORESTER – April 11, TNC

Design review: Tree preservation, parking, and new housing — A 13th Ave project with something for everyone on Capitol Hill – April 10, Capitol Hill Blog

Comment: Mature forests do more for climate, wildlife, water – HeraldNet, April 8

UW cherry blossoms reach peak bloom – SeaTimes, April 6

County zoning plans will destroy rural life in Kitsap – Kitsap Sun, April 4

Balancing the health of its ‘urban forest’ with ‘a critical need for more housing,’ Seattle shaping new tree protections – Capitol Hill Blog, March 30

Local tree news update, 4-8-23

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Edmonds Tree Code Amendment Project: Public Survey – valid through May 19 – make your voice heard!

Carkeek Park Earth Day Celebration – Broadview Seattle, 4/6

UW cherry blossoms reach peak bloom – SeaTimes, 4/6

Community Work Party at Twin Ponds North Saturday, April 8, 2023 – Shoreline Area News, 4/2

Where to see cherry blossoms in the Seattle area – SeaTimes, 3/30

Balancing the health of its ‘urban forest’ with ‘a critical need for more housing,’ Seattle shaping new tree protections – Capitol Hill Seattle Blog, 3/30

WA to burn thousands of acres of forest ahead of fire season – SeaTimes, 3/28

City launches tree code update process with focus on private property – MyEdmonds News, 3/28

Lone tree at Richmond Beach – Shoreline Area News, 3/28

Poetry: Climbing the Tree of Life – Shoreline Area News, 3/24

Reminder: City sponsoring community conversation March 27 about changes to Edmonds tree code – MyEdmonds News, 3/24

Trees, housing and climate goals are intertwined as Seattle debates canopy – SeaTimes, 3/21

Editorial: Use state forestlands to ‘farm’ carbon credits – Everett Herald, 3/21

Ballinger Creek Restoration Project – Shoreline Area News, 3/20

Provide input on the Shoreline’s Urban Forest Strategic Plan and Forest Management Plan – Shoreline Area News, 3/17

Pinehurst Pocket Park Work Party 4/8/2023 – Pinehurst Seattle, 3/15

Pacific Northwest forests are heating up and drying out – High Country News, 3/14

Cherry tree removal on Pike Street underway after compromise – SeaTimes, 3/14

WA rivers, lake nominated to receive new environmental protections – SeaTimes, 3/12

Duwamish Tribe Cultural Preservation Officer consults with Shoreline Historical Museum re the Miyawaki Urban Forest History Project – Shoreline Area News, 3/11

How You Can Foster a Baby Forest – Seattle Greenlaker, 3/11

State’s forests: Protect ‘carbon workhorses’ SeaTimes, 3/10

Seattle Mayor directs city to replace Pike Place market trees with triple the number of cherry blossoms – NW Asian Weekly, 3/10

A rogue, unpermitted palm tree at Alki Beach raises hackles – SeaTimes, 3/10

Sponsor a tree, help a wetland – and a student! -West Seattle Blog, 3/10

Pike Street: Importance of cherry trees – SeaTimes, 3/10

Citing wildfire risk, Spokane to thin 1,000 acres of urban forest – KNKX, 3/9

New protections for Seattle’s trees are inching forward – KNKX, 3/8

Mayor and Councilmember Strauss working to protect and expand tree canopy – Westside Seattle, 3/7

Save the cherry trees – NW Asian Weekly, 3/7

Allow sale of credits for carbon stored in WA-owned lands – SeaTimes, 3/7

DEVELOPMENT: Tree concerns dominate hearing on Delridge proposal – West Seattle Blog, 3/4

Op-Ed: Sound Transit bus lane through LFP would deforest Bothell Way and shift the road west into 110 properties – Shoreline Area News, 3/4

Tree Talk: A name to master, a tree to grow – Madison Park Times, 3/3

Tree canopy: Lack of follow-up – SeaTimes, 3/3

Forest sale: ‘Shame on us’ – SeaTimes, 3/2

Seattle has a Green Lake-sized hole in its tree canopy, study shows – Crosscut, 3/2

Seattle has lost 255 acres of tree canopy. Here’s why – SeaTimes, 3/2

Seattle tree protections update includes plan for new arborist work and removal map by 2024 – Capitol Hill Seattle Blog, 3/1

Plan begins to replace failing street trees in Everett – Everett Herald, 2/28

Planting the seeds for Washington’s forest restoration efforts – Crosscut, 2/27

Two wins for Burien’s Tree Equity – Westside Seattle, 2/25

In the once-cool forests of the Pacific Northwest, heat poses a new threat– HCN, 2/24

Scene at Meadowdale Beach Park: Winter trees – Lynnwood Today, 2/19

Q&A with SCC District 4 Rep Alex Pedersen– Wallyhood blog, 2/11

Grant dollars are seeding the urban forestry push in Washington – Crosscut, 2/10

WATCH THE VIDEO: ONE MILLION TREES – G.R.I.T. in Tacoma, The Nature Conservancy, 1/25

White Center Tree Clearing Prompts Tree Protection Actions in Unincorporated King County – South Seattle Emerald, 1/20

Tree Talk: From tiny acorns grow … – Queen Anne News, 1/18

The best explanation of why one-off tree planting isn’t good enough

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from Duncan Slater on LinkedIn:

No. 993: Tree Planting Shouldn’t Be A “One-Hit Wonder”

It requires more than an initial physical effort & financial contribution to grow a tree successfully. We should never accept a count of “trees planted” as a meaningful statistic for urban greening – it should be “trees well-established in suitable locations” – or “sustainable canopy cover added to our city after a decade”: although, few involved seem to want to wait for such a metric! 😔

Urban locations are often challenging to plant up with trees, & three key factors are associated with planting failure:

🔹The planting location is unsuited to the species planted in it (e.g., soil compaction, soil volume accessible, soil pH, dryness/wetness).

🔹The technical aspects of the planting are carried out poorly (e.g., planting at the wrong depth, planted in the wrong season, transplant has an inadequate root system in the first place).

🔹After-care is not implemented when it is needed (e.g., no irrigation or weed control in place).

A mix of these three factors accounts for the majority of failed urban tree plantings & this is compounded by a further factor that I have found to be very common in my revisits to sites:

🔹Few failed trees are replaced – the planting was a “one-hit wonder”

Obvs, if the site condition doesn’t suit the species planted, or is inhospitable to most tree growth, it is understandable not to try again on the same spot. However, there are means to make most urban locations more suitable for tree planting by soil amendment or artificial creation of underground soil resources. Potentially expensive, but, if it’s a good spot for a tree in an urban area of poor canopy coverage, it may well be worthwhile to amend the site conditions to achieve good tree establishment.

That the planting may have been poorly enacted or that there was no aftercare in place are more easily overcome by education. I have a current MSc student investigating the benefits of empowering local residents to carry out basic aftercare for trees outside their houses – and the findings look good! 😊🌳🚿

My time-lapse shows a failed urban planting: pit created, metal guard in place, tree planted (all at quite a cost to the taxpayer) – but no re-attempt to do a replacement planting: the initial tree is still there, shattered into pieces on the ground!

LESSON LEARNT: Urban foresters are not just ‘guardians of the trees’ – but, by necessity, they must be ‘guardians of the soil’ too. Soil conditions drive what can be planted & achieved on any site, making some sites unsuitable for tree establishment entirely, unless amended. All urban forests are an “experiment in action” – as the concept of an urban forest is fairly new – as is the science behind their establishment & care. Where an experiment fails, don’t give up by default: review – and learn the lessons of each failure!

Send a Be My Valentine E-Mail to State Senators- Add urban and community forestry amendments to E2Shb 1099

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Dear Friends of Tree PAC

E2SHB 1099 is in the WA State Senate Housing and Land Use Committee. The bill would add a climate resiliency element that cities and counties need to consider when they update their Comprehensive Plans under the state’s Growth Management Act. They are considering amendments to the bill in Executive Session on Thursday before it is voted on in Committee.

Please help strengthen the bill by sending the Washington State Senators a Valentine Day email urging that they adopt the purposed urban forest amendments below.

 

We have a pre-written e-mail you can quickly sent them. Feel free to add your own comments.

Here are our proposed amendments we are asking for:

In Sec. 4 (1) – Page 7 line 14 – Add underlined words – “A land use element designating the proposed general distribution and general location and extent of the uses of land, where appropriate, for agriculture, timber production, housing, commerce, industry, recreation, open spaces, general aviation, airports, public utilities, public facilities, urban and community forests, and other land uses.”
In Sec. 4 (1) – Page 7 line 22 – Insert following sentence – “The land use element must evaluate urban and community forestry canopy cover and its preservation and enhancement to mitigate heat impacts and associated health impacts on humans and the natural environment,”
In Sec. 4 (9) (b) (i) (A) – Page 17 line 30 – Add following words (bolded only to designate they are new words to add to current new sentence in bill) to the following – “Identify, protect, and enhance urban and community forests and other natural areas to foster resiliency to climate impacts, as well as areas of vital habitat for plant and animal diversity, safe passage and species migration; and”

Thanks for your help!

Steve Zemke

TreePAC – Chair

www.TreePAC.org

Contributions to support TreePAC are always welcome. Click here to donate.

Comments by Maria Batayola, Beacon Hill Council Chair, on NPI/TreePAC Tree Poll

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Maria Batayola

Beacon Hill Council Chair

Sept 15, 2021

“The loss of exceptional and other trees is tremendous blow to our (beloved Seattle) and in particular our beloved Beacon Hill majority people of color, immigrants and refugees community.  We adopted El Centro De La Raza’s Air and Noise Pollution Community Action Plan that calls us to “plant trees”. But what is the use of planting trees to increase our canopy, if the current trees, especially exceptional ones, are cut down willy-nilly.  We need the trees for our health to filtrate the air and noise pollution.  This is an environmental, health, and climate injustice issue. We need to stop, think and do what is right for our beloved city of Seattle.”

Comments by Tina Cohen Certified Arborist on the NPI/Tree PAC Tree Poll

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Tina Cohen, Certified Arborist Northwest Arborvitae Seattle WA 

 I’m Tina Cohen and I’m a retired Certified Arborist. In my career I worked with both developers and tree preservationists.  

 I’ve been very discouraged by the cognitive dissonance of climate change and continued tree removal. If asked, most people will tell you they love trees and then add: BUT if they’re in the way or messy or remotely a hazard, then they should be cut down. Developers would tell me how much they love trees and at the same time they would remove all of them for a project.  

 Our existing large trees are a cheap and effective way to combat localized climate change. Besides providing obvious shade, they sequester carbon and help prevent erosion and flooding. UW’s Kathy Wolf and USDA Forest Service have done endless studies proving the value of trees.  Large trees provide more benefits than small trees. The Seattle Municipal Code should reflect this and only allow removals if a tree is a hazard under existing conditions (not future development). 

 I urge the City to follow their existing code and in addition:  

  • During development permitting, the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspection, SDCI, must require design modifications to allow adequate root and canopy space for saved trees. This is already allowed in the Directors Rule. Otherwise the trees will not survive long term. 
  • The Seattle Department of Transportation currently requires credentials for arborists working on Right of Way trees. The City should adopt the same.  
  • Replacement trees should be required if there’s adequate space for the roots and canopy at maturity (50 years). Otherwise change the design or add trees elsewhere.  
  • I agree with the Urban Forestry Commission that Seattle needs a central tree portal or department for permits and inspections. Currently it’s spread among several departments.  
  • We can have development AND trees, however McMansions and other projects that cover an entire lot are not compatible with tree retention. The Code should be changed to require more open space (less lot coverage) to allow for large trees.  

 In conclusion, our elected officials have long delayed the update to Seattle’s Tree Ordinance, and SDCI fails to enforce our existing code. We need to change this before every tree is cut. 

 Tina Cohen, ISA Certified Arborist #PN0245A 

ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified 

Member American Society of Consulting Arborists 

Registered Consulting Arborist #473, retired 

Statement by Josh Morris of Seattle Audubon on NPI/Tree PAC Tree Protection Poll

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Statement: July 2021 Tree Protection Polling Results by Josh Morris of Seattle Audubon

Sept. 15, 2021 

Seattle Audubon is a 105-year-old environmental nonprofit that advocates and organizes for cites where people and birds thrive. Since neither people nor birds can thrive without a healthy, growing, and well-distributed urban forest, protecting Seattle’s trees is important to realizing our mission.  

Trees, especially big mature trees, are icons of the Pacific Northwest. Many people love our trees and want to protect them at a greater level than we currently do. We see that clearly from the overwhelming support for improved tree protection, planting, and funding among participants in Northwest Progressive Institute’s July 2021 poll. 

The results show more than 80% of respondents in support of maximizing tree retention during planning and development, and in support of focusing urban forestry investments in low-income and historically redlined neighborhoods. The first is needed to slow the threat of indiscriminate tree loss, and the latter is needed to address a glaring environmental injustice.  

These results come as we increasingly recognize trees as important community assets whose benefits extend well beyond the parcels in which they are rooted. They promote good health and well-being. They bring bird song into our neighborhoods. They keep us cool in the heat and help prevent flooding. Trees are essential. And they are threatened in great numbers across Seattle from weak policy and weaker action.  

Despite more than a decade of promises, Seattle leaders have failed to improve tree protections. Seattle can densify, prevent sprawl, protect more trees, and plant more new ones. We just have to plan for it. Washington, D.C., for example, continues to increase both population density and tree canopy cover through strong tree protections, dedicated funding, and coordinated urban forestry management. We can learn for their example. We can and should do better by our urban forest and for the communities, present and future, that depend on it. 

Seattle Audubon hopes these poll results encourage City leaders to act and hold each other accountable for adopting improved tree protections without further delay. 

 Please send questions to Joshua Morris, urban conservation manager: joshm@seattleaudubon.org 

 

Comments by Steve Zemke – Tree PAC Chair on NPI/Tree PAC Seattle Tree Poll

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Press Conference – Seattle City Poll shows strong support for updating Seattle’s Tree Protection Ordinance

Statement by Steve Zemke – Chair TreePAC

Results released today of a Poll done by Change Research in July for the Northwest Progressive Institute included questions regarding increasing protection for trees in Seattle. The responses showed strong support for updating Seattle’s Tree Protection Ordinance. TreePAC and other community groups and citizens have been urging Seattle mayors and City Council members for 12 years to update the ordinance. Their repeated delays and reluctance to act is strange considering the polls strong support for increasing tree protection.  The polling firm Change Research noted the strong support.

Steve Zemke, Chair of Tree PAC and a former member of the Seattle Urban Forestry Commission for 6 years, said the response confirmed strong public support for action now. The Seattle Urban Forestry Commission has been advocating for the city to act since it was formed in 2009.

Steve Zemke said. “The Mayor and Seattle City Council should take heart in these poll results and move forward quickly to update and strengthen protections for trees and Seattle’s urban forest. The public wants action now after 12 years of delay by city officials.”

The poll focused on issues repeatedly raised by members of the public and the Seattle Urban Forestry Commission and incorporated in the 2019 Seattle City Council Resolution 31902 – A RESOLUTION declaring the City Council’s and the Mayor’s intent to consider strategies to protect trees and increase Seattle’s tree canopy cover.

The Seattle Urban Forestry Commission even produced in 2018 a draft updated Tree and Urban Forestry Protection Ordinance for the Seattle City Council and Mayor to consider but that was ignored by the City. Over a thousand e-mails were sent to city officials by citizens urging action. An on-line petition signed by over 5270 people also was sent to the city urging action.

Zemke noted, “With increasing climate impacts affecting citizens in the city, officials need to act now to stop the unnecessary loss of exiting trees and plant more trees in those areas with low tree canopy. To do otherwise is to ignore both science and the health and welfare of Seattle residents. With better planning, Seattle can continue to add needed housing that is affordable while also maintaining and growing its tree canopy. It is not an either/or situation. We can and must do both.”