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Tacoma Urbanist

Jan. 31, 2008 at 12:22am

Metro Parks: Let The Tree Cutting Begin

Metro Parks is set to begin sawing down a number of trees in Point Defiance and Wright Park.

Metro Parks Tacoma has marked 23 dead or dying trees for removal along the outer loop of Five Mile Drive at Point Defiance Park.

The trees, mostly hemlocks, are considered at high risk for falling and will be removed in early February, according to a news release. Metro Parks’ policy is to leave a dead tree standing unless it poses a high risk of falling.

Here is one slated for the chainsaw at Wright Park few people may know about.




A closer look:



I don't have any information which would make me believe these trees should not be sawed down.  However, I am still a bit sore over Metro Parks decision to cut down a row of seemingly perfectly health and blooming at Puget Park in Proctor:




The picture does do them justice.  Two cell phones ago.  I think the answer given at the time was that they were not "native" or something like that.  In any event, they looked alot better than what is there now.

comments [13]  |  posted under tacoma, washington, wright park
Comments

by fredo
on 3/13/2008 @ 12:22pm		If the City wants to remove a beautiful grove of trees-that can be done, and it probably won't require any public input. If you are a property owner and want the city to remove a problem tree they will battle you tooth and nail until you finally give up. Tacoma's defense is always the same "its the plan!" No plan can ever be modified unless it's in the best interest of the planner.

by Erik
on 3/13/2008 @ 12:29pm		I have heard that one cannot prune the tree in front of their house. True?

by thriceallamerican
on 3/13/2008 @ 12:36pm		Cannot, or cannot legally?

I definitely can...and for that matter, definitely have.

by Erik
on 3/13/2008 @ 12:45pm		I definitely can...and for that matter, definitely have.

Yes. Most people I know trim the trees in front of their house. In fact, alot of people take over the green buffer between the street and sidewalk completely and place all sorts of things there like red rocks and gateways.

by Jake
on 3/13/2008 @ 1:07pm		You are required as a property owner to maintain the right-of-way even though you don't own it.

Owners Obligations to Maintain

Just one of the helpful items you can find on JacobRoseRE.com :)

by Erik
on 3/13/2008 @ 2:42pm		Perfect combination of combining content with self promotion. Nice job Jake.

Are you watching youresthetician's ?

i.feedtacoma.com/youresthetician/

by Jake
on 3/13/2008 @ 5:38pm		Well the document is on my website.. the web host just has a funky way of hosting the uploaded documents (control.cisdata.net address).. So I wanted to make sure everyone knows where it is coming from.

by fredo
on 3/13/2008 @ 7:41pm		You may not legally trim the trees in front of your house that are in the city right-of-way. The fine for this offense is (you'd better sit down at this point) $1000 per tree because you've damaged city property. In order to legally prune these trees will need to purchase a permit from the City of Tacoma for $300 per tree and hire a certified arborist (you may select from a list the city will provide for you) to do the cutting, estimate about $200 per tree. These costs are enforceable even if the City planted the tree(s) in question.
Better hope this city-owned tree doesn't break your sidewalk or your neighbor's side sewer. Those costs range from $2000 to $6000 by my estimate. Tacoma's dream of creating an "urban forest" is becoming a nightmare for local property owners.

by Loeb
on 5/5/2011 @ 9:08am		Not True. Property owners are required to maintain the right-of-way. This from the City of Tacoma web site under the title "Make Tacoma Safe & Clean - Blight Identification and Removal" (www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?hid=11816).

"Trees and Shrubs – Trimming and Removal
Owners are responsible for trimming overhanging vegetation. All trees, plants, shrubs or vegetation that overhang and obstruct the full use of the sidewalk or street must be removed by the owner of the property on which they’re situated. This includes interference with the clear vision of pedestrians or most vehicles; interference with poles, wires, pipes, fixtures; or any part of a public utility in the right-of-way. Also included is any vegetation which is a fire hazard or menace to public health, safety or welfare. The vegetation should be removed or destroyed by the owner of the property on which it’s situated. Contact the City of Tacoma’s Traffic Engineering Division at (253) 591-5511 to see if you will need a free permit to trim or remove trees"


by NSHDscott
on 5/5/2011 @ 10:14am		I received a letter from the city a few years ago requiring me to prune a branch off a tree in the right-of-way next to my corner-lot house because people on the sidewalk had to duck under it. I was happy to do the work, although I didn't appreciate the city calling it "negligent property" after all the time and money I've invested in improving the landscaping. If I didn't do the work myself, I would have been charged some unknown but probably ridiculous fee for the city to do it themselves.

by fredo
on 5/5/2011 @ 10:30am		Lucky the city didn't require you to get a permit first and then hire an approved arborist. There's really no reason to plant trees between the sidewalk and the street, but people are always doing it because they don't foresee the long term problems.

by cisserosmiley
on 5/5/2011 @ 10:40am		plant more trees
www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?hid=9760

by fredo
on 5/5/2011 @ 10:49am		Every person who plants a tree which will someday encroach on the sidewalk, the street, or the underground utilities should be required to furnish a $1000 bond per tree to provide money in case the tree damages any of these important elements of the city infrastructure.The era of the irresponsible johnny appleseeds is over.
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