Friday, June 3, 2022

UPDATED, 6/26/22: Redmond's Heritage Oak Tree


The Oak Heritage Tree
Chris Weber, Arts Administrator next to trunk 
(click to enlarge)

Opinion:  Mayor Angela Birney's "Senior & Community Center" groundbreaking ceremony yesterday was fabulous.  After the ceremony, we walked to City Hall for a poster session and to meet *city staff, our elected and city leaders.  

We were asked to "vote with stones" for a building name we liked best. I recommended "Red Oak Senior Center" on one side and "Redmond Community Center" on the other side. I really hope it's the peoples' choice.  So, what's so special about "Northern Red Oaks" Quercus Rubra?

  • They grow 300+ years and have been in existence 400 years.
  • Excellent shade trees, beautiful fall colors.
  • Tolerant to urban conditions, powerful winds, drought.
  • They originated in England. Not native to the NW.  "Easy and comfortable to transplant." 
  • Fast growing, 2 feet/year, the first 10 years
  • Top off at 70 feet - 88 feet, round shape
  • Diameter:  47 inches.
This Red Oak may have gotten it's start from a sapling, a transplant (or an acorn 😁 )  Construction at the site will yield 191 tree replacements; I hope some of the  replacements will be Red Oaks. Perhaps a grove could be planted with tables and chairs under the canopy?  Three other landmark Red Oaks are on the property.

The Heritage Tree is decorated with lights every year for the holidays.  A mayoral ceremony under the tree usually starts the Luminary Walk.  The tree is actually not on the Senior Center site. 

* SEEN:  Hank Myers, Hank Margeson, Vanessa Kritzer, Angela Birney, Pat Vache', Arnie Tomac, Laura Lee Bennett, John Oftebro, Cherl Strong Magnuson, Rosemarie Ives, John Couch, Jessica Forsythe, Eric Dawson (project manager,) Zach Houvener, Loreen Hamilton (parks director.) Jim Kalelage (architect,) John Marchione, Sue Stewart, Chris Weber, Marty Boggs, David and Chip. 

Source:  https://localtreeestimates.com/northern-red-oak/

-- Bob Yoder, opinion, photo, 6/3/2022

1 comment:

  1. Hi Zack -

    I have some ideas for the Center(s) name.

    "Senior & Community Center" is generic and uninspiring to me. "Downtown Senior & Community Center" even more so. Both names seem cumbersome. There's a problem with "&." I've never seen "&" on a sign, let alone a $48M building. It's bad English; journalists never use "&" in their article titles.

    I recommend naming "Red Oak Senior Center" for the senior side of the building. The name brings pride, respect and recognition to the original use of the building. I recommend naming "Downtown Community Center" for the Community side of the building. It differentiates the Downtown Center from the Marymoor Community Center. Both names identify separate entrances and uses enabling navigation and facilitating engagement.

    Now for some fun! What characteristics of " Seniors" are associated with the Red Oak Tree?
    Beautiful
    Rooted
    Resilient
    Strong
    Colorful
    Renewal (Spring)
    Culture (trees)
    Well nourished
    Magnificent
    Celebration (music / performance under the tree)
    Active (rustling leaves)
    Protected (bark)
    Long-lived
    Home - musical birds, animal habitat
    Tree Art - Nature, wood carving, painting
    Exercise (walk to the River trail to find peace and socialize under the 3 Red Oaks.)
    Engaged (network of branches.)
    Fruitfull (acorn)
    Some of these are a stretch. Thanks for the opportunity to participate.
    Best,
    --
    Bob Yoder
    425-802-2523
    redmondblog.org

    ReplyDelete

COMMENT HERE - COMMENTS ARE MODERATED