trees

A tug of war is taking place in Seattle between advocates for more density and people who want to preserve more trees.

Seattle’s City Council will hold the first of three public hearings on a zoning plan that many feel could hinder the protection of trees and their growth for housing.

From hardscape allowances to protecting culturally modified trees, Seattle’s Urban Forestry Commission is looking at proposals to amend the new tree ordinance, which advocates say falls short of the city’s climate and equity goals.

State legislators set aside $70 million of revenue from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act to conserve mature forests – but that’s only enough for about 2,000 acres statewide. Community activists cataloged a parcel in Snohomish County they hope will be among the protected acres.

A massive red cedar dubbed "Luma" in Seattle’s Wedgwood neighborhood appears protected for now. But as a new tree ordinance takes effect July 30, the question looms of how Seattle will protect its largest and oldest trees.

A massive red cedar in Seattle's Wedgwood neighborhood is slated to be removed Friday. Activists are calling attention to the tree's impact two months after the city passed its new tree ordinance.

On Tuesday, Seattle City Council passed a long awaited update to the city's tree protection ordinance for trees on private property. The legislation, which aims to appease both developers and tree advocates, will continue to be revised.

Despite its reputation as ‘the Emerald City’ in ‘the Evergreen State,’ Seattle has been losing trees. A long-awaited update to the city’s tree protection ordinance will be voted on by Seattle City Council next week.

A historic amount of money is being spent on urban tree planting and maintenance in underserved, often concrete-covered neighborhoods across the country.

Fire officials say Spokane is one of many communities across Washington at extremely high risk of catastrophic fire because of climate change and development into natural, or forested, areas.