As we say goodbye to the wettest March on record, we are greeted with warmer temperatures and a greener Seattle. All that rain in March and slightly warmer temps have encouraged Seattle’s trees to leaf-out and ensure that Seattle lives up to its nickname of “the Emerald City.”
With the arrival of spring, the Seattle Department of Transportation’s (SDOT) Urban Forestry Division is gearing up for its spring tree planting season and a summer filled with pruning and landscape maintenance. Thanks, to the Seattle Transportation Levy – Bridging the Gap (BTG) – passed by Seattle voters in 2006, SODT crews have planted more than 5,500 new trees, pruned more than 23,000 trees and completed more than 4,500 maintenance projects across the City.SDOT’s Urban Forestry is charged with overseeing the more than 40,000 trees in the public right-of-way (ROW) and maintaining 123 acres of landscapes that relate to the transportation system. This work is important to maintain, protect, and expand the City’s urban landscape in street right-of-ways so that economic, environmental, safety and aesthetic benefits are maximized for Seattle’s residents and businesses. If you have questions or would like more information about the SDOT Urban Forestry Tree Program, please visit Urban Forestry’s website. In addition, if you have concerns about specific trees in your neighborhood, please call the citywide tree line at (206) 684-TREE.
SDOT is also developing the Healthy Trees and Safe Sidewalks Management Plan to better address commonly occurring conflicts between trees and sidewalks. It will establish a strategy and identify the tools necessary to achieve accessible sidewalks and expand the urban forest.
Seattle’s trees burst with beauty thanks to all the rain and warmer temperatures!
If you would like additional information on BTG please visit their website.