West Seattle Junction tree updates

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Tree updates from the West Seattle Junction Association:

MORE LIGHTING: The image is a screengrab from the city traffic camera pointed north from Walk-All-Ways. The number of year-round light-adorned trees in The Junction is expanding.

WSJA executive director Chris Mackay says it’s being done in three phases, with West Seattle’s own Fleming’s Holiday Lighting – the photo shows recent installation along SW Alaska; this month, trees on California will get lighting from Oregon to Genesee, and then in late March or early April, lighting will be added north of three, along California from Genesee to Dakota.

JUNCTION PLAZA PARK: You might recall our report from November, after a reader tip that someone had butchered the Junction Plaza Park tree that’s illuminated every holiday season. Strategically placed lighting managed to mask the “butchering” for the tree-lighting ceremony, but wasn’t a permanent solution. WSJA was working with Seattle Parks on that. After a reader tip, we confirmed with WSJA’s Mackay what the plan is now: Putting in more trees around the damaged evergreen: “five big winter-flowering camellias, three white and two red … this spring” and then in fall, “a true Christmas tree in the center of the green grass circle area” in the park. The city will pay for that, while WSJA will pay for the camellias. (No, we don’t yet have a site plan showing exactly where these are to be planted.)

Orb March 9, 2025 (10:59 pm)

Is the guy who butchered the tree being held accountable at all? Maybe he can help plant the flowers or pay for them.

Not Amused March 9, 2025 (11:46 pm)

ORB – my thoughts, too! Where’s his accountability?! Last I read “he had a talking to” – so “Seattle” (insert eye roll)

Carisue March 10, 2025 (3:58 am)

I love the lights-it’s so cheerful and uplifting. It adds a certain sophistication to the junction. Thanks for the photo – I wondered how they put them up.

Anita March 14, 2025 (10:17 pm)

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Yea …I like too …kinda festive spring pre summer ish. 😊 I love this area..people are nice and Friendly no drama… I get along with everybody…

Neighbor March 10, 2025 (5:54 am)

5 “big camellias” in that space? That sounds over planted, what is the mature size of the Camellias they are selecting? Hopefully they remove some as they grow larger otherwise they are going to get butchered again by “pruning” because they won’t fit in that space. Spoken from years of experience doing garden design and maintenance. Happy to work with WSJA on plant and site selection. Also, sure the lights on the trees in the Junction are pretty but why is nobody concerned with more light pollution?

Calm down March 10, 2025 (7:54 am)

I used to see the so-called “butcher” nearly everyday, but have only seen him once since you all brought out your pitchforks and torches demanding justice for a tree. It is sad what happened to the tree, but is this continuous shaming necessary? To quote Taylor Swift, you need to calm down.

Orb March 10, 2025 (10:24 am)

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Are you insinuating he‘s gone into hiding with your anecdote? I’ve seen him out and about plenty. He’s always at the QFC and the Junction Starbucks. He literally butchered a beloved public tree. No one is calling for his lynching. He should just face consequences for his actions. That’s it.
CarDriver March 10, 2025 (10:24 am)

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So you believe he did nothing wrong and must not be held accountable for his actions?
Alki resident March 10, 2025 (11:35 am)

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I guess until it happens to you right? It’s not just a tree he’s hit. He’s damaged many hedges, bushes and plants as well. He’s known around here. It’s unacceptable and he needs to pay.
Respect Others' Property March 10, 2025 (12:03 pm)

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This fellow has damaged countless trees on public and private property all over the neighborhood, if you read the comments on the original article. Identifying and shaming seems like a sensible community response to dissuade him from committing future acts of vandalism.
ltfd March 10, 2025 (12:10 pm)

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Check your umbrage.

WSCat March 10, 2025 (9:09 am)

The Junction is looking magical at night with these lights in the trees. We were there the other night with a friend new to the PNW. She thought it was lovely. Thank you WSJA. Please keep the great ideas coming…

Neighbor March 10, 2025 (3:24 pm)

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“5 big camellias” in that space? Hoping the WSJA has consulted a landscape designer. Because 5 big camellias will get too large at their mature size to be in that space and then they are more likely to get butchered by someone trying to prune them to stay small or out of the sidewalk. I’m happy to consult on this for free. I get that some people think the lights in the trees look nice, but why are we increasing light pollution? This is not the move.
- JustSarah March 11, 2025 (9:09 am)
  
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  Ok, I’m not a pro by any means but also raised my eyebrows a bit at the camellia choice. Glad I’m not the only one.
  - ltmmgm March 15, 2025 (8:45 pm)
    
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    And camellia’s are messy once they start dropping their flowers

Conserve March 10, 2025 (1:47 pm)

Mid-day I recently saw a man with a knife appearing to be carving the Pine at 35th and Alaska and reported it. Yes the lights are pretty but use energy and may also be harmful to the trees. See Purdue study, https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-FAQ-17.pdf

Ws2000 March 10, 2025 (2:40 pm)

Just in case people don’t know, he had a brain injury and is special needs. Not excusing the behavior.

sleepinthedark March 10, 2025 (7:40 pm)

The further north you go on California, the more residential it becomes. Extending the lights all the way to Genesee is going to impact a lot more residents as it’s more apartments than it is businesses. How is this “ok”? Is there a community discussion or somebody that can be contacted before proceeding with extending the lights northward?

WSB March 10, 2025 (7:56 pm)

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As noted, the West Seattle Junction Association – the nonprofit business association/district for the area – is spearheading this. Their contact info is on their website at https://wsjunction.org – TR

LA March 15, 2025 (5:08 pm)

I love the lights on the trees in the junction. It gives me joy when I drive or walk through. They are beautiful. My grandchildren love them too. I love that they are being spread farther. Thank you all who came up with this idea and are working hard to spread the light!