Did you know that Seattle residents can get free trees for their neighborhood, plus get a bonus fruit tree for their own yard, as part of the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Tree Fund? Under the Neighborhood Matching Fund program, the Tree Fund provides street trees to organized groups of neighbors who plant the free trees together to beautify their neighborhood.
The free ‘personal’ apple or cherry tree is new this year as a way to increase the tree canopy and provide food for families.
For more information on the Tree Fund and to download an application, visit the DoN website. The deadline for applications is Fri., Aug. 21.
In case you’re wondering, the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DoN) “works to bring government closer to residents through civic engagement, community empowerment and involvement by all residents for the betterment of their community.” DoN’s Neighborhood Matching Program Tree Fund works in partnership with Seattle Department of Transportation, Office of Sustainability & Environment, and local community organizations.
Why Bother Applying For Free Trees?
Because trees:
- Absorb carbon dioxide emissions and filter air pollution.
- Help soften the edges of the urban landscape and frame residential streets.
- Reduce noise pollution.
- Provide shade and help cool the street in warm weather.
- Provide habitat for birds and wildlife.
So there! What are you waiting for?
Who to know, where to eat & what to do in one of America’s most diverse zip codes!
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That’s pretty cool, it will help to replace some of the many trees we are losing or have lost already (Have you seen the pictures from the air of Seattle now as opposed to 20 or 30 years ago, can’t really call it the Emerald City anymore, I guess now they are shooting for Condoville)
This just in from Council President Richard Conlin & Council member Nick Licata:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 3, 2009
Council approves new tree protection guidelines Implementation begins in 2010, establishes an Urban Forestry Commission
SEATTLE – The City Council today unanimously passed two measures to improve the management of the city’s trees and strengthen protections to ensure the health, quality, and overall coverage of Seattle’s tree canopy.
Resolution 31138 asks the Department of Planning and Development to write a new tree protection ordinance. It outlines specific policy
initiatives that the Council believes critical to successful urban
forest management. Council Bill 116557 establishes a nine-member Urban Forestry Commission to advise the mayor and Council and help educate the public on urban forestry issues.
“Our urban trees are an incredibly valuable resource — and we must act if we want to keep them,” said Council President Richard Conlin.
“The review by the City Auditor told us that the city must improve
our system for protecting and managing trees. We need updated code that recognizes the economic, environmental, and social values that trees offer.”
Both measures are in response to a dramatic 50 percent loss of tree
cover over the last forty years. The city continues to lose mature trees
that provide cooling shade, improve air quality, provide wildlife
habitat, sequester climate changing carbon, help with drainage issues by retaining water and improve property value.
“The Urban Forestry Commission will provide well-rounded expertise to assist the city in protecting and expanding our tree canopy while
accommodating growth,” added Councilmember Nick Licata.
A report by the City Auditor in 2009 highlighted that most of the
implementation work outlined in the Urban Forest Management Plan has not been completed.
Resolution 31138 requests that DPD write new regulations that consider preventing tree removal in required yards and setbacks, create a permitting system and fines for non-permitted tree removal, provide clearer direction for tree relocation and develop incentives for retention. It also asks DPD to consider Transfer Development Rights to developers, giving them more flexibility for creative solutions to Seattle’s urban canopy crisis.
The Urban Forestry Commission will include a community group
representative, experts with technical backgrounds in wildlife biology,
arboriculture, landscape architecture, and a representative of the
development community. It will be staffed by the Office of
Sustainability and Environment.
“Council Bill 116557 establishes a nine-member Urban Forestry Commission to advise the mayor and Council and help educate the public on urban forestry issues. ”
Do they need nine?
Is it one for each Council member?
I wish the city would spend more time on things that count like reducing violence and leave homeowners alone on issues like this. This is eminent domain of trees along with an incredible tax on homeowners – minimum cost of a permit from DPD is $150 -more than the cost to cut down a tree. Nick Licata just lost my vote.
Gosh, we’d love to have a free tree for a planting strip in our front yard – what a great, green, sensible idea! But how’s about if the City installed sidewalks, gutters and planting strips in our neighborhoods first? In my opinion, it seems like many blocks in the Rainier Valley need basic infrastructure before these trees can be used.
Thanks. We at least have one good Council.
Save the trees and you save one of the reasons people move here in the first place. Without them, we’re Chicago with Anon in charge.
Yikes.
Don’t top the trees. Top the SE leadership.
@ Anon – I can’t believe Nick Licata lost your vote because he is fighting to preserve trees. What are you thinking? First of all, I agree with Mark on the point the trees are what preserve the integrity of many communities and neighborhoods throughout Seattle. Unfortunately the canopy is diminishing.
Also, it seems like you’ve also forgotten that he fought the Mercer Mess, agreed Rainier Avenue needs attention, resisted TOD, and was one of the few council members who was sympathetic to the non-profits taking over SE Seattle.
Come on Anon, are you really that inclined to sell out on Nick?
SSSL
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