Retaining protections for exceptional trees and expanding the definition of exceptional trees. In April when the Seattle City Council passed the Mandatory Housing Affordability Ordinance, they passed an accompanying resolution detailing 8 areas that should be considered in an updated tree ordinance. Providing adequate funding to administer and enforce tree regulations. The City of Seattle is focusing on providing these better conditions in business districts and specifically Downtown Seattle, where each tree is required to have 1,200 cubic feet of soil volume. Urban forestry permits are issued for planting, installations, tree pruning, and tree removal or replacement in the right of way. The dark leafless branches stood out in stark contrast to the midday blue sky, allowing the instrument to easily take a reading. The place growing cities can make room for more trees is the publicly-owned right-of-way, where Seattle’s 500,000 curbside parking spaces alone cover land that could hold perhaps one million trees and boost the city’s tree population by two thirds. Reducing the diameter to 24″ DBH will protect more of these large trees that have lived longer than most people in the city, and will be impossible to replace in our, or our children’s, lifetime. Trees get cut in Seattle every week — often for redevelopment — and neighborhood groups are increasingly rallying around particularly beloved specimens, such as a tulip tree in Queen Anne. The official numbers show Seattle is 28 percent covered in tree canopy. May 17, 2013 by BoawnJ. Trees for Seattle [Seattle] Most Read Renton limits it to 2 in 1 year and 4 in 5 years as an example. Just how would a tree like this make it to Seattle a century ago? Arthur Lee Jacobson is a native Seattleite and graduate of Seattle Prep and the University of Washington. SDCI should adopt SDOT’s registration process and requirements to assist Tree Care Providers  in complying with city code and regulations. A musical tribute to trees is racking up video views after a group of activists broke into song before the Seattle City Council. 8. Expand the existing tree removal and replacement permit program, including 2-week public notice and posting, as used by the Seattle Department of transportation (SDOT) – to cover all trees 6” DBH and larger on private property in all land use zones, both during development and outside development. Trees for Seattle is the umbrella for all of the City of Seattle's urban forestry efforts. This process of increasing protection for our urban forest was first proposed by the Seattle City Council 11 years ago and is long overdue. Log into the Seattle … Reduce the number of citations that will remove a Tree Care Provider from being registered with the city to no more than 2 per year. So, this past sunny and chilly Monday, we went for a curated trees o’ history tour. Other City Data Open Budget Open GIS Performance Seattle Capital Projects Explorer City Clerk Seattle News Find a Business City Demographics (Planning and Community Development) Sign In … Other trees kept getting in the way, but eventually, he was able to calculate the hybrid cherry’s height. They are important for the physical and mental health of our residents. “Now Seattle has over 1,400 different kinds of trees, the most trees of any city in the world,” he said. E. Maintaining tree removal limits in single-family zones. In addition to pruning for clients in neighborhoods all over Seattle, he also writes, leads tours, and gives lectures about trees as well as all kinds of plants. Many jurisdictions fall somewhere in between. Major provisions of UFC draft Tree Ordinance explained. It was the wrong time of year to ask. Jacobson’s voluminous yet readable guide “Trees of Seattle” was first published nearly three decades ago, and he completely revised it in 2006. Trees for Seattle. Allow the Fund to also accept fines, donations, grants and set up easements. The City WILL NOT INSPECT any site that does not follow these requirements. But there are … of Transportation already requires, Continuing protection of tree groves as exceptional trees, even if a tree is removed from the grove, Making clear that all exceptional trees removed during development must be replaced per SMC 25.11.090, Tightening tree removal requirements for exceptional trees as hazard trees, Change Subject Title to remove words “land division” and replace with “Development”, PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND. It’s kind of like my parents. Many trees are removed illegally. We are a coalition of groups and individuals working to save Seattle’s shrinking tree canopy. “I can’t help it,” I said, now laughing at myself. City of Seattle Blog. Arthur had printed it off and marked it up years ago to show the locations of several interesting trees in Schmitz Preserve Park, including one of the biggest cedars in the city. Here are the key provisions that need to be in the updated tree ordinance: 1. The group is urging the city council to update Seattle's tree ordinance and prevent urban forests from getting chopped for development. Landscape architectural design, design review & construction inspection services for new public and private development projects. Section 6 of that resolution dealt with updating Seattle’s Tree Protection Ordinance. The responsibility for maintaining trees and sidewalks is typically determined by each city or other jurisdiction, and can vary widely. A musical tribute to trees is racking up video views after a group of activists broke into song before the Seattle City Council. Urban forests are extremely valuable — one study found the pollution-fighting, stormwater-mitigating power of Seattle’s trees is worth $4.9 billion. Residents should place trees or bundled greens next to their food and yard waste cart on their collection day. SECTION 4. Change the heading to “TREE PROTECTION”. As the percentage of urban tree cover falls nationwide, our street trees become increasingly important. With a nickname like “Emerald City,” it may seem ironic that Seattle is losing some of its largest trees to development. This funding will be required to implement and better enforce the existing and updated ordinance. The City of Seattle has embarked on a new project of tree discrimination, having recently updated its tree retention policy to provide strict protection for "exceptional trees." “That’s called looking on the bright side,” Arthur said, laughing at my tree-inspired episode of temporary earnestness. Overhead utilities also impact the pruning of trees in Seattle. Our first stop was in South Seattle, just east of Columbia City, to see the non-native species of tree that Arthur had picked out. Dept of Construction&Inspections (SDCI) Director Nathan Torgelson, Office of Sustainability&Environment (OSE) Director Jessica Finn Coven, Urban Forestry Commission Coordinator Sandra Pinto de Bader. Jacobson’s trunkside manner includes calculating the heights of trees by using a laser rangefinder and measuring the circumference of tree trunks with a tape. Tree Protection (Ch. The city has a goal to increase the tree canopy—the area of our city that is covered by trees, as seen in an aerial view—to 30 percent by the year 2037. Provide adequate funding in the budget to implement and enforce the updated ordinance. “I’m going to show you the native tree that was most important to the Native Americans, what we call the cedar, the red cedar, and we’re gonna see the biggest one in Seattle,” Jacobson said, describing a tree with a trunk 20 feet around. The number of trees required should increase with the size of the tree removed,  with a goal to achieve equivalent canopy area and volume in 25 years. On July 9, 2020, we invited Ian Gray, ISA-certified master arborist, to share his 20+ years of experience working as the urban forestry and natural resource manager for the City of Renton and city forester for Aspen, Colorado. Home / Tools & Resources / Director's Rules; Director's Rules DR 16-2008, Designation of Exceptional Trees Status: Active Supersedes 6-2001 … And it was as straight and symmetrical as a telephone pole and stood almost a hundred feet high. Post online all permit requests and permit approvals for public viewing. It was packed with families enjoying the sunny and cold President’s Day holiday. The new study breaks down the types and locations of trees across Seattle. Expand the existing Tree Removal and Replacement Permit Program, including 2-week public notice and posting on-site, as used by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) – to cover all Significant Trees (6” and larger diameter at breast height (DBH)) on private property in all land use zones, both during development and outside development. 6. This requirement continues throughout any subsequent development on all lots in all zones in the city.”. The City of Seattle implements biennial budgeting through the sequential adoption of two one-year budgets. If trees are not replaced you are losing canopy.Seattle’s Tree Protection ordinance passed in 2001 actually says in SMC 25.11.090 that exceptional trees and trees over 24″  DBH  are to be replaced if removed from a property being developed.The city has not kept a record of trees removed or replaced pursuant to this ordinance nor is there any record of developers paying the city to plant trees elsewhere. Urban forestry permits are issued for planting, installations, tree pruning, and tree removal or replacement in the right of way. A number of other cites have lower numbers and limit it even more over a longer time period. Street trees can help calm traffic, give neighborhoods beauty and character, and even increase the value of homes. Section 6. Seattle currently allows the removal outside development of 3 significant (> 6″DBH) trees that are not exceptional per year. I suddenly got all philosophical. Kirkland, Woodinville, and Duvall all define a tree grove as “a group of 3 or more significant trees with overlapping or touching crowns.” Include street trees in groves. The group is urging the city council to update Seattle's tree ordinance and prevent urban forests from getting chopped for development. The Endorsed Budget is the basis for a Proposed Budget for the second year of the biennium, and is reviewed and adopted in the fall of the first year of the biennium. F. Exploring the feasibility of establishing a in-lieu fee option for tree planting. In winter, however, it’s a different story. City of Seattle: Trees for Seattle: [email protected]: 206-684-TREE (8733) DCI Director: Nathan Torgelson: [email protected]: 206-684-0343: OSE Director: Jessica Finn Coven: [email protected]: 206-256-5158: Urban Forestry Commission Coordinator: Sandra Pinto de Bader: … We then walked toward the tree to get a closer look. Require that all jobs either have a certified arborist on the work site or that they have visited the site and officially sign off on the specific work being done. By Kirara Kamo Northwest Asian Weekly. The draft Director’s Rules would give greater protection to large trees, tree groves, Heritage Trees, and all trees over 6 inches in diameter at standard height (DSH). The City WILL NOT INSPECT any site that does not follow these requirements. Allow removal of no more than 2 Significant non-Exceptional Trees in 3 years per lot outside development So where are Seattle’s trees? Council and Council Central Staff, Outline of Revisions to SMC 25.11 – Tree Protection Ordinance by Seattle Urban Forestry. 5. In the living room of Arthur’s home in Montlake, he mapped out the route and described three quintessential trees he’d chosen to visit, each embodying a key concept or era in Seattle’s tree history. A City of Seattle study shows that white people are much more likely than minorities to enjoy a rich canopy of trees in their neighborhood. Arthur Lee Jacobson had told me on the drive over that he hadn’t visited this particular tree for many years, and he’d warned in advance that the giant cedar could’ve blown down in a storm a long time ago. The way to find out, of course, is you’d do a core of the trunk and you’d count the rings, but who cares?”. Many jurisdictions fall somewhere in between. Retain current protections for Exceptional Trees and reduce the upper threshold for Exceptional Trees to 24” DBH, protect tree groves and prohibit Significant Trees being removed on undeveloped lots. Trees and the urban forest comprise a vital green infrastructure. The City of Seattle has issued requirements for construction projects seeking inspections. A property owner in the city must now get special permission from the Department of Planning and Development to remove exceptional trees from his or her property. He stood a block or so away, craning his neck as he used his laser rangefinder to measure the black walnut’s height. The City continues to strive for the goal of balancing development with protecting our urban forests. We manage trees and landscapes along Seattle’s streets Skip to main content Seattle.gov “There’s part of it that’s kind of cool, though, that these [trees], they’re not monuments that’ve been put up by some organization or some entity,” I said, obviously enthralled with the sound of my own voice. Std Specification 1-07.16(2) Tree Vegetation … Allow removal of no more than 2  significant non-exceptional trees in 3 years per lot outside development. Trees of Seattle: The Complete Tree-Finder's Guide to the City's 740 Varieties Our commitment is to ensure that Seattle's urban forest is healthy, vital, and growing. If you need to remove a hazardous tree on your property, follow these steps to get approval from the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspection. But parks contribute only 20 percent of Seattle’s tree canopy. SDOT has already set up a a system to register and certify tree service providers and this would extend it to all that work on trees on private property.Providers would have to sign a statement that they have read the tree regulations and understand what is required. All rights reserved. On March 18, 2019 the Seattle City Council passed CB 119444 – Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) legislation. Trees serve an important environmental function as well as adding beauty to our city. Last August, I begged Arthur Lee Jacobson to let me interview him about historic Seattle trees. The city can not wait 80 years to replace an 80-year-old western red cedar tree and expect to maintain its canopy goals as large exceptional trees are removed during development. The City WILL NOT INSPECT any site that does not follow these requirements. Seattle wants to lower its carbon footprint and improve its air quality, and trees, which trap pollution and sequester carbon, are one way to succeed. They are the survivors and provide the most ecological services to the city. The language of this SEPA code section should be included in the Director’s Rule to be certain that the code is complied with. The City of Tacoma requires maintaining clearance standards 8 feet above the full width of sidewalk and 14 feet above the full width of streets and alleys. Apartment residents may place two trees next to each food and yard waste cart […] Schmitz Preserve Park is filled with trees of all kinds, and it’s easy to imagine how much of what’s now Seattle must have looked 200 years ago before Europeans arrived. The first sign a tree is being removed is usually hearing a chain saw  or seeing the tree gone when they pass by. B. Expand SDOT’s existing tree service provider’s registration and certification to include all tree service providers working on trees in Seattle. Literally. It is urgent to act now to stop this continued loss of trees, particularly large mature trees and tree groves. 7. Trees of Seattle: The Complete Tree-Finder's Guide to the City's 740 Varieties [Arthur Lee Jacobson] on Amazon.com. Tree cover falls nationwide, our street trees can help calm traffic, give neighborhoods beauty and character, even. Trees left in Seattle with two new trees leading search application with over 3,300 codes and growing permits issued! 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