Ed note: several of us have written to city offices about the trees on 8th Avenue. Here’s a thoughtful reply:
“Dear Jim, I am sending this message to express appreciation for your time to express interest in the Seattle Department of Transportation managed Oak trees posted for removal on 8th Avenue between Columbia and Marion. The 800 Columbia site soon to be underway on First Hill has been under review by my office for SDOT Urban Forestry to fully understand the necessity of tree removal to manage the risk to public safety.
SDOT approval for removal of the trees posted on 8th Avenue includes requirements for replacement of trees on 8th Avenue along with the installation, establishment and resources for care to sustain additional trees on First Hill. We have been most fortunate for the time invested by the First Hill Improvement Association to identify areas in the neighborhood that currently lack street trees and will prioritize these sites to ensure a rich, verdant, tree canopy on First Hill for generations to come.
Thank you for the support that you and your neighbors provide to communicate the strong interest in street trees in Seattle. The Seattle Department of Transportation recognizes the value of the mature trees on 8th Avenue and will continue to work with FHIA to invest resources provided by the development project to restore the public resource value they represent.
Your consideration for their value and for the important benefits they provide is highly important to SDOT and to all who live and work here.
Shane E. DeWald, PLA, Senior Landscape Architect, Seattle Department of Transportation / Urban Forestry”