Recently the Seattle City Council requested an audit to review the City's tree policies. The audit report clearly outlined the extent of the failures by the City to protect its current inventory of trees, and to implement plans going forward for a sustainable urban tree program. Regrettably, the recent article in the Seattle Times basically whitewashed the problems, stating "City officials have said they're addressing the problems, and point to recent increases in tree canopy coverage."
Yikes! Read the report on the City Auditor's Web site, and draw your own conclusions. Meanwhile one City Council member wants to create a committee comprised of neighbors, city officials, and forestry experts. Yikes, again. We have a wonderful assortment of talented people already on the City payroll. They have great credentials and experience. They are scattered throughout several City departments. What they don't have is any enlightened leadership and management. Can we ask the Mayor, please, please, to appoint a skilled manager who could cut across inter-departmental turf wars and lead a coherent and sustainable urban tree program?
Another City Council member wants to pass an ordinance that would protect existing trees by limiting ........ I need not go any further. By the time the famous Seattle process addressed this ordinance, many more urban trees would be lost. I re-iterate - the talent and skill, mandates and policies are already in place. What is immediately needed, dear current Mayor, is skilled management. Dare I recommend the return of Jim Diers to inspire and lead this effort?
Well, now that I have 'annoyed' all the powers that be, please let me turn to the real power base - you and your neighbors and your friends and your colleagues, ancient and young and in between. Read the report and sigh. Then get organized for we have the power to get the job done. May I suggest that we let the City Council know that we want our city to have a truly viable and sustainable urban tree canopy, both on private and public lands. We have seen other cities address this vital urban issue, and achieve a success so much greater than what has been so far proposed for this, our city, that they, in the know, refer to as a world-class city.
Whew, a good rant certainly does clear the sinuses.
Seattle has always had some amazing world-class and talented citizens. Arthur Lee Jacobson has been one of my favorites over the years. For years he has been studying and documenting the trees in Seattle. In 1990, he self-published his book, Trees of Seattle. In this amazing compendium of trees, he has sited and measured our urban trees. His book is a joy to read for anyone who wants to know "what that tree" is. With his attention to detail, you have the resource to travel through this City and find notable specimens. The book has now been, in 2006, revised and published, 2nd Edition. Yes, trees are important.
In 1996 Ten Speed Press published North American Landscape Trees by Arthur Lee Jacobson, with drawings by Michael C. Lee (ISBN 0-89815-813-3). Hmmmmmmm - recently a visitor mentioned Stewartia serrata, a tree I had not heard anything about. Zoom - off I went to Arthur's encyclopedic book and there was the description along with the size that the tree will achieve in Seattle! On Saturday, June 27, Arthur will be leading a tour of the Washington Park Arboretum from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. I urge those of you that want to participate in the saving and renewal of our urban trees to take the tour - and please tell him that I so admire his dedicated work that I sent you to help him to carry on his most important work. For further details, great links and essays, and a much fuller description of his life's work and dedication, look at his Web site www.arthurleej.com
In relation to trees, the other major Seattle tree personality and savior is Cass Turnbull, Founder of Plant Amnesty (www.plantamnesty.org). Single-handedly she stopped Seattle City Light from their aggressive program of topping trees. Before Cass educated all of us, City Light would come by and find your trees in THEIR wires and the next thing you would hear was the sound of their buzz saws topping your trees. Not any more! Their policy has been changed and they cannot arbitrarily top your trees. Cass is a force to be reckoned with and we are all so much better because of her drive and energy, and sheer determination.
Someone (?) recently encouraged us with his slogan "Yes, we can!" If you are still reading this piece, then I have to believe that our urban trees, whether on public lands or private property, are an important element in your civic life. We need to make our voices heard, and I hope, that with the brief resources I have listed above, you will be able to find your way to make sure that trees, large and small, have their important role recognized in our city life.[[In-content Ad]]
