Redmond's Tree 2017 Canopy Goal was not achieved. |
OPINION: When you combine tree loss from city mitigation with the tree loss from development of private projects our city character will never be the same. Just one case in point: The Chelsea Square II project of two-eight story downtown buildings. Its Tree Preservation Map shows all trees will be stripped including most of the mature, lush street trees. (NE 83rd Street, 164th Street.) Most damaging, Tree Regulations protecting our canopy haven't been upadated in ~ 26 years! Good for the developers, bad for our environment and city character.
City Tree Mitigation Update, 2025:
The City will remove, top or limb ~ 271 trees by late 2025 with more to come in 2026.
BACKGROUND: In 2023 the city assesseed 18,000 city-owned trees for health in parks, right of ways, open spaces, and street trees, to ensure public safety while preserving our urban forest. The assessment focused on trees that were 12” or greater in trunk diameter [significant and landmark trees] located within striking distance of a target, near streets, parking spaces, buildings, or structures.
In 2024 the 35 the city's highest priority trees were mitigated for health risks. Council Presisident Kritzer was unhappy when she heard of this and planned to look at them before they were cut.
IMPACTS: 211 trees were identified as high priority trees needing mitigation, which can include pruning, limbing, wildlife snag creation, and removals. David Tuchek, a Deputy Parks Director said about a third of the trees would be removed, a third would be topped into snags for wildlife habitat, and a third would be pruned. After hearing Tuchek's report, Council President reniged stating the mitigation plan was a good for the city and wildlife habitat.
In 2025, the city will focus on the next 50-60 highest priority trees with additional funding for mitigation in 2026. That's a total of ~ 271 trees that will be mitigated (removed, topped, limbed, pruned) by 2025 with more to come in 2026. After a query by CM Fields the Parks Director listed several projects in place like Green Redmond for planting tree replacements.
-- 3/25/25 Council Committee of the Whole, Parks & Human Services