West Seattle Junction losing trees today; replacements will follow

When the crew we photographed at work on SW Oregon west of California SW today is done, The Junction will have seven fewer trees. But West Seattle Junction Association director Susan Melrose tells WSB they will all be replaced. We had seen the tree-removal notices on two SW Oregon trees last week, noting “poor health” and “poor form”:

Then came a tip today from Eddie, who noticed the removal work in progress. There’s also a tree in front of West 5 that’s being taken out, and pear trees that – as mentioned in our coverage of September’s Southwest District Council meeting, which was attended by Seattle’s city arborist – weren’t thriving either. Melrose says the crew will grind down the stumps both for these trees and others that have fallen down recently, and will mulch the tree wells; replacements will arrive next spring, though the species hasn’t been finalized yet.

15 Replies to "West Seattle Junction losing trees today; replacements will follow"

  • CW October 16, 2013 (2:54 pm)

    Cherry Blossom Trees would be nice.

  • karen Lyons October 16, 2013 (5:03 pm)

    OK, something is really wrong, here. I’m a botanist and nothing was wrong with these trees other then their being hit by supply trucks restings at this location. I passed by the work crew cutting down these trees and I asked what would be put in these empty squares of soil. They had no answer.

    • WSB October 16, 2013 (5:16 pm)

      Karen, as I noted in the story, they haven’t determined yet what will replace them. Further elaboration on that: There was some talk, as noted in the SW District Council story I linked in this one – attended by the city arborist Nolan Rundquist – that they might go with a certain kind of ginkgo tree. But when I spoke with Susan at the Junction Association today, she indicated that there are some specimens of that tree elsewhere in this area indicating they might not be ideal for the area after all.
      .
      We really do have stories in the archives about multiple trees coming down in this area for various reasons, most often weather. Most recently, just a few weeks ago, one by the post office. But I’m no botanist … if you have specific advice, ideas, questions, the Junction Association is working with SDOT, whose right of way it of course is, to determine replacements before next spring, and the contact info should be at http://wsjunction.org – TR

  • WestSide45 October 16, 2013 (5:06 pm)

    How about something native that won’t produce roots which crack pavement?

  • nw October 16, 2013 (6:46 pm)

    The base of these trees unfortunately are constantly collecting cigarette butts and debris I noticed that they have also been filled ,where there had been quite a drop in the level of the sidewalk, with gravel. This would never fly in Seattle but I for one think it would be great to put around the trunk of trees close to bars a cigarette butt can or similar so our sidewalks , gutters and eventually Puget Sound don’t have to take them.

  • Seattlite October 16, 2013 (6:50 pm)

    I’m not a tree expert, but the existing trees are way too tall. The high branches commingle with the power lines making them look out of portion to the Big Junction’s buildings’ heights.

  • Craig Young October 16, 2013 (6:51 pm)

    What ever they replace them with please don’t plant the “DRIPPERS”!
    These trees are a menace and a mess.

  • alki forever October 16, 2013 (7:52 pm)

    I said a prayer for those trees who gave us pure enjoyment. I hoe those tress make into tree heaven..

  • Ray West October 16, 2013 (9:06 pm)

    I get the feeling these are being cut down more for esthetics than for health. Pity. I’m all for trees, I want more tress, but I’d like see better planning of trees. Frankly, I’m tired of seeing identical “umbrella” trees planted exactly “X” amount of feet from one another, creating a “tree tunnel.” It’s boring and parts of California Avenue are positively gloomy on overcast days. Get some variety of shape, color, spacing, and texture so it looks more natural.

  • ttt October 16, 2013 (10:05 pm)

    I hope they do replace them. The more trees, the better for all of us…

  • artsea October 17, 2013 (4:24 am)

    In the past, I’ve seen Junction trees taken down just because they dared to grow and block the name of the store behind them. Come on guys.

  • cj October 17, 2013 (6:28 am)

    I always hate it when healthy trees are killed for convenience. I have this feeling when its all said and done there will be a lot more we loose in this deal, that is if the construction frenzy even slows down by then.

  • Retrospective Nonsense October 17, 2013 (9:12 am)

    The trees are screaming. Mark. Mark, are you there?

  • sc October 17, 2013 (3:00 pm)

    This morning I went to mail some bills at the West Seattle Post Office and nearly missed the turn in! My landmarks (trees) were gone :(

  • The Junction October 18, 2013 (9:03 am)

    The trees that were taken down were either not viable or of the species that has been failing (falling) in The Junction for the past 3-4 years. Just two weeks ago, one of the post office trees fell down. The empty tree wells will be replanted in the spring with a more appropriate species that can live a long life in a business district environment. ~ Susan Melrose

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