West Seattle scene: Tree ambassador’s multi-century project

(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
If you drive down 46th SW between SW Raymond and SW Graham in Seaview (map) right now and notice tree-removal work under way – you might leap to the wrong conclusion if you don’t know the whole story, which was shared with us this morning by Jonathan Stumpf:

Once upon a time, Thundercloud Plums lined 46th Avenue SW, as well as many other streets in the Seaview neighborhood. Highly susceptible to breakage, most have fallen to windstorms during recent years. This week, neighbors between Raymond and Graham have pooled resources to remove the last of them, clearing the way to take advantage of an upcoming SDOT planting project. Nineteen Copper Beeches, alternating with Scarlet Oaks, will soon replace the dying plums on this block. The new trees should live up to 300 years, and although they will need a number of years to grow, eventually they will form a canopy over the street, to be enjoyed by generations to come. One of Seattle’s Tree Ambassadors, Brandis Gray, inspired the community stewardship of this planting strip.

The preparation work we found when we stopped by the block just now is being done by Stonehedge Tree Experts (WSB sponsor). If you’d like to find out about being a tree ambassador, just go here.

11 Replies to "West Seattle scene: Tree ambassador's multi-century project"

  • Robert October 11, 2012 (11:27 am)

    Now here is some farsighted thinking (and acting). That’s really good to see.

  • curbed_wheel October 11, 2012 (11:57 am)

    Does anyone happen to know if a homeowner needs a permit to remove a tree located in the “strip” between the street and the sidewalk?

  • dawsonct October 11, 2012 (12:23 pm)

    Fan-TASTIC! What a great project, hope everyone remembers that their young trees need PLENTY of water for the first number of years. Don’t let them die like so many have along Fauntleroy.

  • natinstl October 11, 2012 (1:17 pm)

    I live right by there and I hate the plum trees in our parking strip. They look nice during the one week a year they bloom and the rest of the year they’re busy staining my car. I too would also like to know if we need a permit to remove them. I would love to replace them with the others mentioned above.

  • Been There October 11, 2012 (3:28 pm)

    Best West Seattle news of the day. Cool-:)

  • Been There October 11, 2012 (3:30 pm)

    @curbed_wheel – The short answer to your question is, Yes.

    Details here: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/treepruning.htm

  • mookie October 11, 2012 (4:01 pm)

    I wish they’d plant evergreens, rather than more deciduous flower/sap/nut dropping trees.

  • Bonnie October 11, 2012 (4:12 pm)

    I wish we had beautiful trees on our street! I love some of the trees near the junction and in the admiral area. We don’t have trees on our street (Fauntlee HIlls) and I wish we did.

  • Mrs Tiggy Wiggle October 11, 2012 (6:08 pm)

    Really great news!! The collaborative effort is very inspiring!

  • Herman October 11, 2012 (7:56 pm)

    AWESOME

  • Neighbor October 12, 2012 (8:46 am)

    Wow, these are great trees being put in! Really nice combination! What a lucky street! It would be great if neighbors adopted the trees in front of their homes and took on watering responsibilities. The city might provide water sacks for free, otherwise for the increased value to the resident they should invest in the saks themselves. Keeping them filled during the dry months is fairly easy and really does give the trees a good chance to root in. The trees could use lots of love for the first three or four years. Again, what a lucky street!

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