Queen Anne Boulevard Preventative Tree Maintenance

In response to requests for inspection and recent tree failures, Seattle Parks and Recreation's Urban Forestry Unit has identified twenty-five trees that necessitate removal along Queen Anne Boulevard. Many have died or become structurally unsound due to decay organisms, and need to be addressed immediately. These trees are creating a hazard for park users or adjacent property owners. Only trees that are untenable to retain are being recommended for removal. 

Due to the nature of boulevards planted with monocultures, the trees along Queen Anne Boulevard are vulnerable to disease. There are currently seven sites along the boulevard with communicable pathogens or insects that have the potential for high tree mortality. Assessments were conducted by ISA Certified Arborists/Qualified Tree Risk Assessors and reviewed by Nicholas Johnson from Seattle Parks and Recreation, a Board-Certified Master Arborist/Qualified Tree Risk Assessor.   

Due to budgetary constraints related to COVID-19 and diseases identified, the necessary tree replacements will need to be postponed. It will also take time to identify disease-resistent trees that adhere to the boulevard's intended design. 

Nicholas Johnson, Seattle Parks and Recreation
Urban Forestry ISA Board Certified Master Arborist PN-5662BM
ISA Certified Arborist Municipal Specialist
ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified
ASCA Tree and Plant Appraisal Qualified

Questions?  Join us for a community walk and talk 

• Corner of Bigelow Ave N @ Highland Dr: Friday, August 14^th from  12:00 - 12:45pm
• Corner of Bigelow Ave N @ Crockett St: Friday, August 14^th from  1:00 - 1:45pm
• Corner of 10th Ave W @ W Armour St: Friday, August 14^th from 2:00 - 2:45pm   

Timeline

Fall 2020 (Sept/Oct)

Preventative Tree Maintenance Overview

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) stewards 6,412 acres of land with more than 300,000 trees. SPR's Tree Preventative Maintenance Program works to systematically reduce tree associated risk in our park system by inspecting trees located within high-use buffer zones at 480 of our parks. The buffer zone includes any elevated use area (e.g., wading pools, beaches, playgrounds, playfields, paved surfaces) extending out 50 feet. There are an estimated 171,615 trees in the Seattle park buffer zones. 

All trees in these areas identified as moderate risk or above will be addressed, and all young trees will be pruned. The program aims to inspect trees in high-use buffer zones at all SPR parks within a seven-year period, after which the process will begin again. Read more here

Program Objectives

• Reduce risk associated with trees in SPR parks
• Improve the long-term health of trees in SPR parks
• Systematically address tree listed in SPR tree inventory 
• Retain veteran trees in SPR parks. Larger trees provide more benefits to residents then smaller trees, so the removal of large trees should only occur when pruning methods have been deemed not feasible.
• Maintain and create habitat for wildlife. Consideration will be made for birds, animals and insects. Habitat will include nesting and foraging spaces. 
• Provide a citywide environmental education and awareness of public tree management.