Trees for Seattle September Newsletter

City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 09/01/2021 02:10 PM PDT
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A program of the City of Seattle, Trees for Seattle is committed to growing and maintaining a healthy, awe-inspiring urban forest.

Are All Non-Native Trees Harmful?

Last month during August Tree Check Month we got many questions about the difference between non-native and invasive plants. There is an important distinction between non-native trees and invasive trees: non-native trees are all trees not naturally found within a certain area (ie Seattle). Invasive species cause harm to the surrounding environment and usually spread quickly. Invasive trees include English holly, cherry laurel, and black locust. Some trees are invasive in certain areas -- like a forested park -- but might not cause damage in a maintained yard. This means not all non-native trees are harmful!  

Some non-native trees we enjoy in Seattle are ginkgos that are naturally found in China, Deodar cedars from the Himalayas, and Northern red oak from the Eastern United States. We plant non-native trees in Seattle yards and along streets because they are often better-suited for urban conditions like compact soil, more sun, and less water. Smaller, non-native trees are also great for planting under powerlines to avoid constant pruning of larger native trees. People plant trees where they live for many reasons: food, flowers, to connect their yard to their culture, for fall color, shade, and more. Planting carefully-selected non-native trees helps make Seattle’s environment unique, beautiful, and diverse. For more information about invasive species, you can visit King County’s list of invasive plant and animal species. 

 

Ginkgo

This beautiful non-native ginkgo is in West Seattle.

We Want to Hear From YOU!

Seattle Parks and Recreation is currently looking for feedback on a new strategic plan. The online open house is happening now through October 3. SPR manages over 6,400 acres including 120 miles of trails, 12% of Seattle’s land area, 26 community centers, 485 parks, and more. his online open house is asking for feedback on how needs have shifted since the pandemic and will guide future years at Seattle Parks and Recreation. Share your feedback to help inform how parks, open spaces, and community centers are cared for and managed and what services are needed by and offered to our community.

Check out this link for a great video explaining the process and highlighting some of Seattle’s favorite places- our parks! 

Garden

Volunteers working at Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetland -- click on this photo to see the entire video!

Did You Know...

that the trees along Seattle’s streets alone sequester at least 966.3 tons of carbon, produce 2.577 thousand tons of oxygen each year, and avoid over 2 million cubic feet of runoff each year? Seattle Department of Transportation updates these estimates annually after inventorying street trees; this year alone street trees provided over 24 million dollars in annual benefits in the city. Check out our map for more information!

Tree Walk Spotlight: Highland Park Tree Walk

The Highland Park Tree Walk is a colorful 1.5 mile walk through residential Southwest Seattle. It begins at a vibrant rain garden designed to collect rainwater to help these plants grow and reduce runoff. Other colorful trees on this walk include the fluffy flowers of a smoke tree, the deep purple leaves of the thundercloud plum, and the orange peeling bark of the paperbark maple. You can’t miss the incredibly tall poplar that towers over the neighborhood. While this is a great walk to do during the summer, the abundance of evergreens makes this an enjoyable winter walk as well. You can find this Tree Walk using Seattle Tree Walks mobile app, available for free download on your Apple or Android smartphone.

Rain garden

This rain garden is featured on the Tree Walk.

Looking To Volunteer?

Save the Date: October 16th is Orca Recovery Day!  

Trees for Seattle is planning on hosting a tree stewardship event that weekend. Stay tuned to our website and social media for more info! 

 

Green Seattle Partnership Volunteer Events

Check out the Green Seattle Partnership volunteer calendar for upcoming opportunities in a Seattle park or natural area near you! Learn more about COVID-19 safety protocols and register here.