READER REPORT: Tree trouble in Admiral

Thanks to Blake O. for the photo from Stevens/44th, just west of PCC. Blake was parked nearby and saw this upon return: “A giant branch had fallen off an old tree, landing on nearby cars. I was parked one car length away. I don’t know any information other than, it had happened around 8:50 pm today, 9/3. Neighbors think it was just an old tree No one was hurt. There was no wind or any other outside force that they know of.” We heard a related dispatch, so authorities are aware; we don’t know whether the tree’s been cleared.

Hummmm September 4, 2020 (6:30 am)

If a tree falls on Stevens/44th and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

Gina September 4, 2020 (7:28 am)

Same location as last month’s big branch drop?

Neighbor September 4, 2020 (9:21 am)

Gina – yes, same tree and location.What can be done about getting this tree groomed or removed? I’m all about keeping trees around and would never support cutting down trees unnecessarily, but this seems to be an exception. I walk my dogs under this tree multiple times a day, and somebody could seriously get hurt. Two large branches in a month. The previous time in late July, I was about 50′ away and witnessed it fall, while another gentleman walking his dog was 15 seconds passed having it land on him and is dog. Another gentleman was in his car while the branch smashed down on it. This tree is unsafe and should be properly dealt with.

Sky September 4, 2020 (8:48 am)

Isn’t this the same tree grouping that had some large branches fall not so long ago? Hopefully they don’t wait for the whole tree to give way…

Wsguy123 September 4, 2020 (11:58 am)

I really feel like this should be addressed proactively to avoid injuries, litigation, etc. There are likely other trees in this same situation as trees falling has been covered by wsb. I am curious if it’s the homeowner that is responsible for maintaining the strip between the curb and the sidewalk or the city.

sgs September 4, 2020 (12:21 pm)

Can’t remember who is responsible for trees on parking strips – city or homeowner. I think homeowner even though it is city property. Hope it gets taken care of so everyone safe.

Ada September 4, 2020 (1:10 pm)

The homeowner is though they will need a permit to remove it – https://www.seattle.gov/trees/planting-and-care/street-trees

wsguy123 September 4, 2020 (1:47 pm)

A little boy and his dad were hit by a falling tree behind Fauntleroy YMCA a couple of years ago and nearly killed. This is no joke. Better to be proactive about these things. According to comments above, apparently this tree has “lost limbs” in the past. This should have already been addressed. Very frustrating.

AMD September 4, 2020 (1:59 pm)

Some trees in the planting strip are privately owned, some are owned/maintained by SDoT. The trees on this block are all privately owned (you can see which are which using SDoT’s interactive map: http://seattlecitygis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=a7072ffa326c4ef39a0f031961ebace6 ). To proactively trim the tree before another branch falls, you can try contacting the homeowner directly to talk to them about it. If that doesn’t work, you can submit a report of overgrown vegetation (if it is actually overgrown and not just structurally unsound) via Find It, Fix It. They will send a letter to the homeowner explaining what needs to happen with the tree.

Flivver September 4, 2020 (5:07 pm)

Shaking my head here. Good luck getting city action. When my mom needed a tree cut down she went through the permitting process which included getting a certified arborist to swear to the need to cut down the tree. He said he had a family that waited 6 MONTHS to get permission to cut down a dead and dangerous tree. Mom got lucky and only had to wait 5 week’s-for a certified dead and dangerous tree.

Al September 4, 2020 (7:49 pm)

Check with the city’s Arborist. There is a fungus that kills only maples that is in WS. They pretty much said the ground in our area is saturated. Check your maples.

wseaturtle September 4, 2020 (11:25 pm)

AMD—very interesting website. Thanks for posting. I see my trees are listed as owned and DOT serviced.. Problem is, their only interest in my neighborhood is keeping the branches from the wires. They don’t care what kind of hack job they do. So long as they don’t touch the wires. AND they REALLY don’t care about diseased branches, “not their job”, and will tell you so. That’s what they tell me every 3 years.

anonyme September 6, 2020 (8:53 am)

As a retired arborist and homeowner, I think the City’s tree policies are ridiculous and contradictory. Homeowners should not be responsible for trees on public property. Currently, homeowners have no control over trees planted by the City. They have to have a permit for large-scale pruning or removal, and yet are responsible for anything going wrong with the tree. IMO, it should be one way or the other. Trees on public property should be the responsibility of the City. An SDOT arborist planted trees on the private property side of the sidewalks in Arbor Heights, directly under power lines. This defies the definition and purpose of street trees. These trees are already infringing on private property and will cause multiple conflicts in the future, necessitating removal – at the property owner’s expense, even though they had no say in the matter. I’m all for strict regulations regarding tree butchery and removal, but these laws make no sense.

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