9:43 AM: Thanks to Al for the photo and report – he says that toppled tree is affecting the vicinity of the US Bank branch in The Junction (42nd and Edmunds) right now.
12:20 PM: Just got that photo from another reader, noting that the situation was being handled as of about an hour ago.
Your comment makes me think of that old commercial from Geico Ins… LOL! And of course you can find it online! https://youtu.be/cMMjX4GUTiI?si=Y3mcl_5hHSUSth4b
I wonder what caused it. I’ve seen trees fall twice in the last month in Schmitz Park. I think the drought is putting trees across the city under even more stress.If you have a tree near you, please give it a biiiig drink of water. (Longer less frequent waterings help develop deeper root systems, which improves survival and prevents dangerous tree topplings.)
It’s no wonder these trees are falling. First of all, they are surrounded by concrete, with little soil available to absorb rainfall – if we had any. They’ve been planted right up against a building, in a slice of what was undoubtedly extremely poor soil due to construction. Next, it looks as if they have been covered with ivy at some point. A lot of trees are dying, way more than usual; just look around. Many, but not all, are conifers that are suffering with our changing climate. Often, the trees become stressed and then succumb to a secondary pest or pathogen.I trained as an arborist and have already lost one conifer this year, with a second failing. Both trees have had the best care possible, and were healthy. I don’t know the answer, and I fear there may not be one.
Also – if you have a birch tree, check & see if top branches are dying/leaves browning. There is a particular beetle around here that is infesting. 2 of my close neighbors have birches that are infested. Luckily, my tree-farmer inlaws noticed it & I had our birch treated before it showed signs of infestation.
Points of order, anonmye.There are tens of thousands of trees surrounded by concrete lining our roads. They are thriving to the point of destroying all of our sidewalks with massive root pressure. Take a walk and stumble every panel or maneuver over recently ground-down cracked concrete sidewalks. There was no new construction that led to this tree’s failure.I wonder who is responsible for the fallen tree?I’m sorry your well mantained trees are failing.
I’m not sure what “points of order” have to do with it, but yes, there are thousands of trees surrounded by concrete. Rarely are they in such a narrow slot right against a building, and with all of the other problems I noted. Also, we may have differing ideas as to what constitutes “new” construction. The damage done to soil by construction (stripping all top soil, bulldozing, etc.) lasts many decades. Often builders come back and throw a couple of inches of compost on top of what is essentially fill dirt, and then plant in it. Trees may seem to do OK for a few years, but eventually there’s nowhere for the roots to go and they either die or topple. Sidewalks are often damaged due to planting inappropriate species for street use; there are some municipalities (not Seattle) that value old trees enough to reroute sidewalks. In Seattle, some contractors do this deliberately knowing that the trees will have to be removed in a few years.
That tree is a gigantic sissy! It needs to pull itself up by its bootstraps and quit freeloading for handouts and free cosmetic surgery from the city. Communist trees, what’s next!?
The tree is on the berms. The city is responsible for the health of this tree … and all the trees they’ve issued permits for planting in these very constricted spots. Not a climate problem. It’s a City problem.
Sorry, comment time is over.
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