Thanks to the texter who sent the photo of Alki Beach’s newest tree – another palm, at 59th/Alki. It’s been nine years since Seattle Parks‘ planting of palms on Alki drew a lot of attention; our subsequent followup included Parks’ explanation that they were planted in a spirit of “beach-y whimsy.” Parks also noted at the time that these aren’t tropical: “They are a temperate species called Windmill Palm trees, and come from a region of China that gets colder than Seattle.”
Personally, I’d rather see a shore pine or an indigenous tree. Salal? Even a rhododendron. Palm trees? Not whimsical, kinda stupid.
Amen, palm trees are not native to the main land so why would anyone think they belong in the pnw?
Ridiculous to think that every tree planted by the city needs to be a native. I love native plants but I also know how limited they can be in their uses. There just aren’t that many deciduous native trees that are well adapted as street trees. Big-leaf Maple? Great tree, but a real sidewalk ruined with its heaving roots. Vine Maple? Great tree, wont tolerate too much sun combined with heat and reflected light, as happens in most streets. Alder? I’m probably the only one in my neighborhood who actually planted one in my yard, but it’s also not a good street tree. Our native conifers are mostly too large or cool temp/moisture loving to be good street trees.A city with some beautiful (& yes, not PNW native) tupelo, maple, katsura, etc is a wonderful thing.
if windmill palms can grow here and their seeds can germinate here, they belong here.it doesn’t need to be only PNW natives around here
Salal is not a tree and not well suited to the location. Same for Rhododendron. Even though its name means “Rose Tree”, in order for a rhododendron to reach tree size, it also needs to expand its footprint – a lot. The dominant PNW species – Douglas fir, Western red cedar, bigleaf maple, hemlock, sword fern, Western bracken fern (which is also poisonous to livestock), salal, and mahonia – while beautiful, can be a bit monotonous. Vine maple and Pacific dogwood break it up a little, but most of these species are more at home outside the urban landscape. That’s why, for over a century, enthusiastic gardeners and horticulturalists have introduced dozens of non-native and ornamental species. Consider the cherry trees on the UW campus, the Arboretum, or the Carl English Gardens at the locks in Ballard – or every carefully tended yard in Seattle. Truly criminal, huh? BTW: Palm trees aren’t stupid. Maybe those who think them so are.
Seattle has lost .5% of our tree canopy since 2016 due to dense development, so it’s nice to see at least one new one, even if it’s a non-Northwesty palm.
Yes, these Palms love the PNW, we have 9 of them just in our front yard and 1 in the backyard and over 50 “babies” in pots. We have very fertile trees I guess because we are constantly digging “babies” up!
I love whimsy but these Palm trees serve no real purpose. The Palm trees planted at Alki do nothing to support local wildlife and pollinators. It might have seemed like a fun idea at the time but they serve no purpose other than fleeting entertainment.
As we rapidly increase density we are losing tree cover. It’s already happening — all trees and shrubs on nearby lots have been replaced by up to 3 cheaply constructed condos on a standard lot with a zero lot line (–with HOA fees, argh).
The increased density means we’re going to lose a LOT more trees. And the City Council in all its wisdom (not) have prioritized older, larger trees, meaning that few younger trees will be left to replace older ones.
We need more trees that support our local wildlife. Unfortunately the Alki Palms are an idea whose time has come and gone.
Agree 100% with everything you said. Trees are vital yet they are disappearing by greedy developers.
News FLASH, Lisab.
The data are out and solely demonizing desperately needed housing construction as the primary cause of canopy loss is false.It is overwhelmingly the City of Seattle that is responsible for losing tree canopy.
And worse yet, it is the West Seattle city owned green belts that have seen the greatest decline of tree canopy.
Vastly oversimplified much? Yes the City doesn’t manage greenbelt well. Does the City manage anything well? The implication that you can’t have trees and multifamily housing is wrong. Seattle wants development tax revenue more than it does a functional tree canopy. Successive Councils have failed at tree ordinances.
Wrong, Kanopy. Here’s exhibit B:https://westseattleblog.com/2023/03/development-tree-concerns-dominate-hearing-on-delridge-proposal/
Ours are covered with pollinators every year. Here’s some info on it
What’s wrong with HOA fees? Buildings and property require upkeep. I’m saying this as a former owner in a condominium that did not collect adequate HOA fees. You can pay now or pay later. And by cheap construction do you mean the building is not pretty enough for you?
Two developments took place directly across from one another, with two very different developers. One was thoughtful start to finish, and made sure his development fit in with our neighborhood. He engaged with the neighbors and gave us his contact information so we could ask questions. He used quality building materials and consistently makes sure that he minimizes impacts to the neighbors. His development fits in beautifully with our little neighborhood and neighbors are grateful to have him and his family as part of our community.
The other developer was the opposite with too many details to list here…. a few: Using a slash and burn approach to the lot, affecting many neighbors, blocking alley access for weeks at a time, profound noise and vibration that affected neighbors many houses away, using very cheap (questionable) materials including chipboard instead of plywood and minimal metal connectors where much stronger, thicker materials should have been used.
All of this will be invisible to the unfortunate buyers since it’s all “dolled up” as homeowners watching this travesty go up refer to it.
A couple other developers said that the poor quality construction like this gives developers a bad rap as buyers can’t know what’s going on under the siding and behind the finished walls.
It’s unlikely that these condos will look decent after 10 years. It’s just a quick buck for this developer. They’ve already dropped the price once. I suspect it won’t be the first time.
Re HOA’s — Just try to plant something not on the typical HOA’s exceptionally limited list of approved plants. Want to grow veggies or polliator friendly plants? HOA’s have a long sordid history of legally preventing homeowners from having any control over something as minor as growing veggies. –The HOA dues for these condos is $22/month, which doesn’t pay for anything at all.
So did any of the homeowners watching the “travesty go up” ask the city whether it was passing inspections? Point out suspicions? Check whether the developer had a permit to block the alley? If the buyers can’t know what is “going on under the siding and finished walls” why would allegedly poor construction cause a price drop? Are you not aware mortgage rates have increased dramatically, or do you not understand how financing works? A three-owner HOA is not a “typical HOA” that rules hundreds of properties and typically actually is controlled by control-freak types on the board. $22/month may be the minimum needed to cover professional services to meet reporting requirements.
Data from a study just reported contradicts the assumption that it is new housing that is a major source of Seattle tree canopy concerns.
The data show that it is the city’s public lands and forests that have lost far more trees than those lost for Seattle’s housing shortage.
I think the city should plant more windmills at Alki and all over the city. palms are gonna be popping up over more areas around here, like it or not
Cedar would not survive in such a spot, let alone grow well enough to be attractive.
I’ll be that guy – why would they plant another palm on Alki? The others, over the past nine years, have all looked awful, sickly over that period of time. They always look like they’re dying. Doesn’t make sense. Beach-y whimsy? I know they can thrive in this area, as I see some around that look good to great. Maybe they are constantly maintaining ? Hoping when I walk by this new addition multiple times a week I’m proven wrong and I can say, “wow, looking good louis….”
This is a rescued tree and there will be another one planted on Alki. On another note does anyone know when the bathhouse bathrooms will reopen? Sign on the door said it closed due to vandalism 😤. However it has beeen closed for 6 weeks or more.
Rescued native trees are important. We have several conifers in need great homes. A “rescued” Palm tree doesn’t meet any standards for maintaining a healthy tree canopy here in the Salish Sea region.
Tacky. Please plant native. And form a grove (3-5). One all by its lonesome looks………….like it was just plunked.
Um, did you not see the photo? There is hardly room for one tree let alone 3-5. Given the space, there probably aren’t many trees that would thrive there.
Ridiculous. Besides the argument that they should be planting something native instead, palms are so ugly. Like telephone poles with a sickly fern on top.
Only in the eye of the beholder… “Ridiculous. Besides the argument that they should be planting something native instead, palms are so ugly. Like telephone poles with a sickly fern on top”
I love palms and tropicals. have different species of windmill palms,Jubaeas,Jubaea hybrids and other tropicals on my property in Mukilteo Washington
You did a wonderful job demonstrating how palms belong in their native habitat. Compare your photo of palms in a lush tropical setting to the sad pic in the article. Share a pic of palms in the PNW that don’t look ridiculous and totally out of place.
I’m officially naming this new palm Brian (De Palma). Live long and prosper Brian!
I vote West Seattle for the most hilariously epicurean complaints! Reading the blog can feel like opening a box of fine chocolates filled with gooey grudge-filled gems. We have honed our high brow moaning and groaning over the long winter in to the equivalent of gastronomic masterpieces! MWAH! (Insert that gesture where you kiss the tips of your fingers.) I’ll love her even more because of your collective disdain. I might even give her an occasional hug. Yeah – the palm tree is a girl. You got a problem with that? Love, Your Neighbor.
I love your response….and I love this sweet little palm❤ I’ll visit her tomorrow!
I am usually not the sentimental type, but suddenly I feel sorry for this palm tree, so hated on by the correct-mob. Long live the palm tree. I wish it would run for city council.
All of this. Seriously, WSB is often a great resource, but some of y’all treat the comments section like some sort of artisanal NextDoor. I’ll let the neighborhood’s Gladys Kravitzes work their agita out in here and instead take a walk today to visit the new flora; sounds like that’s where the fun people are checking in. Viva la palma!
I love your comment ‘Your Neighbor.’ Thank you for sharing. (I was so surprised to click to the comments and find so much angst over this tree)
Well said. It’s incredible what some people can b*tch about online It’s a nice tree that would’ve been destroyed and was saved and repurposed by a gardener. More importantly, it looks perfect in this location. I hope a lot more are planted along Alki. Goes to show the loudest whiniest voices are often the least logical.
I like it. The phalanx’s of undifferentiated dark firs and hemlocks around my area, with little light seeping through in the winter, feels gloomy.
Clearly there should have been at least 6 public meetings and a survey to narrow to narrow this down to the “preferred tree alternative” followed by an environmental impact statement and a vote by the city council.
But first, a series of round table discussions about your proposed plan of action. Followed by a period of time for public comment.
With the palm tree already having already determined as the choice before any “outreach” of course.
Winters are long and dark here. People look for anything to complain about. But griping about a tree is funny, even for here. I mean, how dare we plant a tree that isn’t from here while you yearn to build lots of housing for many people who aren’t from here
Seattle Parks has been supporting native plant restoration for years in partnership with GSP and thousands of hours of volunteer work in our parks. Why – because native plants support our native wildlife. I can’t even imagine the disconnect at parks to plant this tree which does absolutely nothing for our environment and the NW we love. I have family in Florida and those palm trees are used by non-native rats to breed.
Its one tree people, calm down. Maybe the beach, where people go to actually sit in the sun and not under a tree, is the wrong place to replant the disappearing tree canopy the city is experiencing. Just because the parks department planted a palm tree instead of all the other suggestions above, doesn’t mean they are only going to plant one tree this year, and it’s this palm tree. So enjoy the beach whimsey. It could be worse, it could have been a giant typewriter eraser.
Or an encampment. Gosh, some people are so lame. Even a tree can trigger these ridiculous people.
Actually this is along the walkway where plenty of people look for shade from the hot summer sun. This is a perfect place for palm trees.
Too late for The Californian “jokes”? Just take the west seattle freeway, go south on the 5, and get outta…
Stupid. It should be a native shoreline tree. Our beach vibes do not include palms.
wow, seems like a bunch of b..tchy unhappy people with nother better to do. I bet most of these unhappy people are not even from Seattle. In fact I will coin an old term for these people “carpetbaggers”. I agree with John, I-5 takes one all the way to Mexico and I-90 takes one all the way to Boston. Go!
You couldn’t be more wrong. My family moved to Seattle in the 1860s after escaping crushing poverty and war in Europe. My love for this place and deep roots here are why I care so much.
So are you still mad that they built the locks and killed the Black River?
Great! I am just grateful to see any trees on Alki east of the bath house. I always wish we have more shade in the summer/hot days.
Nice to see the Parks department having fun! I think fake palm (regardless of how healthy they look) are hilarious and reflect our West Seattle sense of humor. I’ll keep an eye out for our new tree friend.
Have a,ways thought they look ridiculous…especially in a public beach in SEATTLE.
Cedar trees would not survive in sandy beach soil that gets parched and hot in the summer. Especially with salinity. Cedar trees thrive in moist protected groves with other conifer friends. A Juniper tree or a plam tree is the most proper for this environment. Other may also survive and thrive however the choice is indeed limited.
And this is WHY we can’t have nice things. This group of people is clearly going to solve homelessness and climate change. ( hey I’m here too, so that includes me!) I love you, West Seattlelites. Let’s spend our time on things that matter?
This palm is perfect for the beachy vibe of Alki! It’s also true that our natives would Not be happy so exposed with constant sun, wind, and sandy soil. Viva la palma!
I kinda like it, but I really like the comment about wishing the tree would run for the city council. WOW! What a great idea. Campaign for the palm tree for City Council to represent West Seattle. And I’m not being facetious.Back in the late ’60’s Robert Reich (the author, professor, Clinton cabinet member, etc.) was President of the Undergraduate government at Dartmouth. Bob (his name then) was a dynamic leader and a great speaker. He loved listening to his own voice, and bored everyone to death. In the Spring of his Senior Year we held the annual elections for student government officers. A number of candidates ran for the office to replace Bob. One, named Albert Pief, did not exist – but everyone knew it. His platform was that if elected his first and only act would be to abolish student government. He won in a landslide. A German shepherd came in second. Student government was dissolved and stayed that way for about 10 years – with no loss of student input to the faculty and administration. No one missed it. The things it was supposed to do still got done, the things that were a waste of time just stopped.Albert Pief did the undergraduate council a huge favor. It was ineffective and generally wasted time with silly projects that no one cared about. Let’s elect a palm tree to the City Council. Maybe it will have the same effect here, embarrassing the Council into recognizing its ineffectiveness and get them to identify real priorities, and practical, effective solutions and work together to get things done. No more defund the police, and no more support for the SIXTY (60) different organizations (with 60 layers of overhead) currently spending lots of money to fix homelessness and not succeeding.
I love it. It warms my heart to know it was rescued from South Park. The beagle and I will bask in its generous shade at our every opportunity. Kudos to whoever in the city came up with this brilliant idea and made it happen.
Somebody rescues a tree and suddenly all the native tree activists pop out of the ground like cicadas. You’d think somebody was setting fire to the forest. The palm tree is beautiful. Somebody cared. Your opinion doesn’t matter!
A rogue, unpermitted palm tree at Alki Beach raises hackles | The Seattle Times
Yes, that is why the sudden flurry of new comments on a week-old story. Welcome, visitors!
I wonder if the “anti-palms” would change their tune on it if it was found to have a spigot on it that dispenses Merlot*? —Mike ======== *Very old WSB Comment Section “inside joke”.
people who complain about a Trachycarpus fortunei are so boring. they are beautiful palms and their seeds can germinate here as well (oh no now the invasive plant people have something to complain about now ) I grow all kinds of different windmills in my yard, Jubaea Palms, Jubaea x Butias, sabals and other kinds that can survive here with other tropicals in my yard in Mukilteo, wa. neighbors say I should do natives instead but I do it because they say that garbage. to me they belong here. and look better than the native garbage. sorry to say folks I’m seeing more and more windmills popping up everywhere so we are stuck with them .
Sorry, comment time is over.
| 74 COMMENTS