Seattle Needs an Updated Tree Ordinance!
Rapidly changing Seattle is losing critical tree canopy volume. Planting and preserving trees has been touted as the single most effective means of climate change mitigation. Yet, developers are scraping lots and unscrupulous tree services are cutting down trees illegally. Seattle needs an updated tree ordinance and needs to enforce it. You can help!
The Mayor, City Council and Urban Forestry Commission need to hear from you!
Use the form below to send a letter
- to adopt the Urban Forestry Commission’s draft Tree Protection Ordinance
- to increase protection for large mature trees in Seattle
- to move implementation and enforcement of tree protection to the Office of Sustainability and Environment
Enter your return address then click “Start Writing” to load the default letter
Your letter will be sent to the Mayor, City Council and Urban Forestry Commission (complete list), and will be added to the public comments on the UFC Draft Tree Protection Ordinance. Feel free to add your own comments to the default letter!
Enter your return address then click “Start Writing” to load the default letter.
The Power of Trees
produced by the Nature Conservancy
New research shows that trees communicate with one another and share nutrients through their roots! They need each other. In urban areas, trees also help us with health, economic and social benefits. They are part of our culture. We need them. So, how can we return the favor?
This video was made by the Nature Conservancy in partnership with the University of Washington, University of British Columbia and the Duwamish Tribe.
Get Involved!
Contact City Officials
Send a letter to the Mayor, City Council, and tree-related department heads via our “Take Action” link.
To follow up with a phone call, contact your district council member, or just send an individual message, here is their individual contact info.
Get a Yardsign
Get a Save our Trees – Don’t Clearcut Seattle yardsign!
Contact info@dontclearcutseattle.org.
Volunteer
Help us increase public awareness of the Save Our Trees Campaign.
Volunteer opportunities include:
- Leaflet or table at neighborhood events and farmer’s markets
- Distribute leaflets and talk with people at large events
- Bring awareness to our campaign at community or city meetings
To sign up or learn more, contact Lianne at llindeke@hotmail.com
Stay in Touch
The Save our Trees Calendar
- Seattle Urban Forestry Commission meeting (open to public)
- 03/04/2020 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Seattle Municipal Tower Room 2750 - 700 Fifth Ave
- Seattle Urban Forestry Commission meeting (open to public)
- 03/11/2020 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Seattle Municipal Tower Room 2750 - 700 Fifth Ave
- Seattle Urban Forestry Commission meeting (open to public)
- 04/01/2020 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Seattle Municipal Tower Room 2750 - 700 Fifth Ave
- Seattle Urban Forestry Commission meeting (open to public)
- 04/08/2020 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Seattle Municipal Tower Room 2750 - 700 Fifth Ave
- Seattle Urban Forestry Commission meeting (open to public)
- 05/06/2020 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Seattle Municipal Tower Room 2750 - 700 Fifth Ave
- all events
Find us on Instagram
Western Red Cedar or Northern White-Cedar? Anyone know? All the similar trees along this access road/driveway have multiple trunks, cones are possibly a little smaller than typical Western Red Cedar. We need to preserve our trees! Please send a letter to the Mayor and City Council urging the enactment of an updated tree ordinance via https://dontclearcutseattle.org. #dontclearcutseattle #friendsofseattlesurbanforest #plantamnesty #seattletrees #seattlegreenspace #pigeonsofseattle #seattleurbanforest #greenseattle #treesofseattle #hallerlake #northseattle #treebark #thelast6000
Anne Siems @anne_siems_art stands up for the trees! during public comment at the 2/12 Seattle City Council Land Use & Neighborhoods Committee meeting. You can view the video here: https://www.instagram.com/p/B8egREeniTv/ (and view her wonderful artwork here: ww.annesiems.com) Please send a letter to the Mayor and City Council urging the enactment of an updated tree ordinance via https://dontclearcutseattle.org. #dontclearcutseattle #friendsofSeattleurbanforest #plantamnesty #seattletrees #seattlegreenspace #pigeonsofseattle #seattleurbanforest #greenseattle #treesofseattle #thelast6000
Interview with Suzanne Grant! Suzanne led DontclearcutSeattle & friends in song during public comment at a Seattle City Council Land Use & Neighborhoods Committee meeting. Singers and speakers urged the city to update Seattle's tree ordinance and to protect our urban tree canopy. Read interview and listen to her singing testimony here: https://komonews.com/news/local/angry-former-seattle-punk-rocker-sings-to-save-the-citys-trees Please send a letter to the Mayor and City Council urging the enactment of an updated tree ordinance via https://dontclearcutseattle.org. #dontclearcutseattle #friendsofSeattleurbanforest #plantamnesty #seattletrees #seattlegreenspace #pigeonsofseattle #seattleurbanforest #greenseattle #treesofseattle #thelast6000
Suzanne Grant leads DontclearcutSeattle & friends in song during public comment at a Seattle City Council Land Use & Neighborhoods Committee meeting. Singers and speakers urged the city to update Seattle's tree ordinance and to protect our urban tree canopy. https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/watch-tree-activists-break-into-song-at-seattle-city-council-meeting/281-9a7afd56-bff4-4f39-ac4a-1cd5626ec8b2 You can send a letter to the Mayor and City Council urging the enactment of an updated tree ordinance via https://dontclearcutseattle.org. #dontclearcutseattle #friendsofSeattleurbanforest #plantamnesty #seattletrees #seattlegreenspace #pigeonsofseattle #seattleurbanforest #greenseattle #treesofseattle #thelast6000
133 trees at risk! Like Seattle, the bulldozers are overly active in Shoreline. Come to the Shoreline City Council Mon Feb 10th at 7 PM to discuss less destructive construction alternatives. The Shoreline City Council meets Mon Feb 10th at 7 PM, 17500 Midvale Ave.N. in Shoreline. Save Shoreline Trees urges people to come and testify to save the trees, People can testify for 2 minutes or so depending on how many people turn up More info: https://saveshorelinetrees.com/ Sign the petition: https://www.thepetitionsite.com/300/464/157/stop-the-clear-cutting-of-shoreline-trees-on-dayton-ave/ #dontclearcutseattle #friendsofseattlesurbanforest #plantamnesty #greenseattle #shorelinewa #treesofseattle #treesofshoreline
And just north of the Seattle boundary... over 50 people attended a Rally held by Save Shoreline Trees to save some 133 old large trees at the WA State Dept of Transportation site at.15700 Dayton Ave N. The Shoreline City Council meets Mon Feb 10th at 7 PM, 17500 Midvale Ave.N. in Shoreline. Save Shoreline Trees urges people to come and testify to save the trees, People can testify for 2 minutes or so depending on how many people turn up More info: https://saveshorelinetrees.com/ Sign the petition: https://www.thepetitionsite.com/300/464/157/stop-the-clear-cutting-of-shoreline-trees-on-dayton-ave/ #dontclearcutseattle #friendsofseattlesurbanforest #plantamnesty #greenseattle #shorelinewa #treesofseattle #treesofshoreline
Mark your calendars! Please join us Wed Feb. 12 at 9:30am for the Seattle City Council Land Use & Neighborhoods Committee to discuss progress with Former Mayor Burgess’s executive order for tree protection and actions the City Council has taken for their resolution for tree protection passed last September. We need your help to show the Council and Mayor there is a large and diverse group of people wanting to save our trees now. Wednesday Feb. 12, 2020 9:30 to 11:30 (arrive by 9:15 if you wish to sign up to speak) Council Chambers Seattle City Hall, Floor 2 600 Fourth Avenue Seattle #dontclearcutseattle #friendsofseattlesurbanforest #seattletrees #seattlegreenspace #pigeonsofseattle #seattleurbanforest #greenseattle #treesofseattle #seattleaudubon
The trees really make this neighborhood. Although this looks a bit like a country road, there are houses and buildings just off camera. Our urban forest is valuable and cannot be easily replaced. . Please email the Mayor and City Council via https://dontclearcutseattle.org and urge them to update Seattle's tree ordinance. . #dontclearcutseattle #friendsofseattlesurbanforest #plantamnesty #seattletrees #seattlegreenspace #pigeonsofseattle #seattleurbanforest #greenseattke #treesofseattle .
Designing for Trees. Trees for Life, https://treesforlifeoregon.org, interviews several Portland area developers who are designing buildings around trees. “Their work, which preserves or creates space for trees, illustrates that new development and trees need not be mutually exclusive.” Read interviews at https://treesforlife.org/designing-for-trees. Please send an email to the Seattle Mayor and City Council via https://dontclearcutseattle.org and urge them to support updating Seattle’s tree ordinance in order to facilitate more tree-friendly development. . #dontclearcutseattle #friendsofseattlesurbanforest #plantamnesty #seattletrees #seattlegreenspace #pigeonsofseattle #seattleurbanforest #greenseattle #treesofseattle Posted @withregram • @trees4lifeoregon Tree code and PBOT regulations sometimes make integrating large, existing trees into a building site "a pain in the neck,” says developer Eli Spevak. He does it anyway, while wishing the city would make it easier. Thanks to all who are speaking up at recent tree code hearings in Portland about mature tree protection!#portlandtrees @commissionerhardesty @portlandaudubon @chloeeudalypdx @dontclearcutseattle #dontclearcutportland @save_the_giants https://www.treesforlifeoregon.org/designing-for-trees-eli-spevak
Silver Birch trees on Meridian Ave North. Thanks @friendsofseattlesurbanforest! Posted @withregram • @friendsofseattlesurbanforest Snowing in Seattle, night picture with flash, birch trees with snow #seattlenature #hallerlake #northseattle #hallerlakeseattle #treesofseattle #seattle #seattleoutdoors #pnw #friendsofseattlesurbanforest #northwest #seattletrees #dontclearcutseattle #washingtonwonderland #pnwlife #wintertrees #winterwonderland #birchtrees #thelast6000 #plantamnesty #seattleaudubon #seattlegreenspaces #discoverseattle Help save Seattle trees Urge the Mayor and Seattle City Council to update Seattle's Tree Protection Ordinance Send them an e-mail at wwwDontClearcutSeattle.org Thanks
The sun peeking through a stand of Western Red Cedar. Lots of people out walking in spite of the cold weather. Our urban forest brings neighbors together. It's vital that we protect our urban forest. Please send a letter to the Mayor and City Council urging the enactment of an updated tree ordinance via https://dontclearcutseattle.org. . #dontclearcutseattle #friendsofseattlesurbanforest #plantamnesty #seattletrees #seattlegreenspaces #pigeonsofseattle #seattleurbanforest #greenseattle #treesofseattle #hallerlake #northseattle #treesinwinter #cedar #cedartrees
Another Save our Trees/Don't Clearcut Seattle yardsign spotted on this rainy afternoon. Contact info@dontclearcutseattle.org to get yours! Please let the Mayor and City Council know that you value Seattle's urban canopy by sending an email to the Mayor and City Council urging them to update Seattle's Tree Ordinance. You can send via https://dontclearcutseattle.org . #dontclearcutseattle #friendsofseattlesurbanforest #plantamnesty #seattletrees #seattlegreenspace #pigionsofseattle #seattleurbanforest #greenseattle #treesofseattle #hallerlake #northseattle
The variety of trees in this neighborhood is amazing and the residents are frequently out walking. A benefit of a healthy urban forest is that people spend time outdoors, and so meet their neighbors and get healthy exercise. . It's vital that we protect our urban forest! Please send a letter to the Mayor and City Council urging the enactment of an updated tree ordinance via https://dontclearcutseattle.org. . Identifying deciduous trees in the winter based on bark is a challenge, but this looks like a Cottonwood. #dontclearcutseattle #friendsofseattlesurbanforest #plantamnesty #seattletrees #seattlegreenspace #seattleurbanforest #greenseattle #treesofSeattle #treesofInstagram #hallerlake #northseattle #treesinwinter #treebark #treebarkart
Western Red Cedar bark. Who needs a front lawn when you can have these beautiful and iconic trees in your yard. We need to preserve them! . Please send a letter to the Mayor and City Council urging the enactment of an updated tree ordinance via https://dontclearcutseattle.org. . #dontclearcutseattle #friendsofseattlesurbanforest #plantamnesty #seattletrees #seattlegreenspace #pigeonsofseattle #seattleurbanforest #greenseattle #treesofseattle #hallerlake #northseattle #treesinwinter #treebark #treebarklovers #cedartrees #frontyardtrees .
Don't Clearcut Seattle gets a shout out! https://www.usnews.com/news/cities/articles/2020-01-03/as-development-fells-trees-some-in-seattle-fight-to-save-the-citys-urban-forest. Great article on Seattle's growing efforts to preserve its urban tree canopy! . You can send a letter to the Mayor and City Council urging the enactment of an updated tree ordinance via https://dontclearcutseattle.org. . #dontclearcutseattle #friendsofSeattleurbanforest #plantamnesty #seattletrees #seattlegreenspace #pigeonsofseattle #seattleurbanforest #greenseattle #treesofseattle #vanishingseattle #thelast6000
Spotted in Haller Lake... a Save our Trees-Don't Clearcut Seattle yardsign! Contact info@dontclearcutseattle.org to get yours. ...and please send an email to the Mayor and City Council urging them to update Seattle's Tree Ordinance. Send via https://dontclearcutseattle.org . #dontclearcutseattle #friendsofseattlesurbanforest #plantamnesty #seattletrees #seattlegreenspace #pigeonsofseattle #seattleurbanforest #greenseattle #treesofseattle #hallerlake #northseattle
"a beautiful day in the neighborhood". New Year's day walk around Haller Lake. Come visit and bring your binoculars; eagles nest in this tree grove! . We need to protect our city's trees. Write the Mayor and City Council via https://DontClearcutSeattle.org and urge support of an updated tree ordinance. . #dontclearcutseattle #friendsofseattlesurbanforest #plantamnesty #thelast6000 #seattletrees #seattlegreenspaces #pigeonsofseattle #seattleurbanforest #greenseattle #treesofseattle #hallerlake #northseattle
Maria Batayola, the environmental justice coordinator at El Centro de la Raza and the chair of the Beacon Hill Council of Seattle, testifies how tree loss in South Seattle affects low income and people of color with impacts to noise, health and livability. Beacon Hill is particularly impacted by air and noise pollution as it is below a major Sea-Tac flight path and is boxed in by Rainier Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr. Way, I-5 and I-90. Let the Mayor and City Council know that you support the updated tree ordinance, as recommended by the Seattle Urban Forestry Commission, by sending a letter via https://dontclearcutseattle.org #dontclearcutseattle #friendsofSeattlesUrbanForest #plantamnesty #seattletrees #seattlegreenspace #pigeonsofseattle #seattleurbanforest #greenseattle #treesofseattle #beaconhillseattle
What took 90 years to grow took just 2 days to destroy. There were 8+ alternative new development layouts that show how 4 to 5 dwellings could have been built on the lot while still retaining Queen Anne's giant Tulip tree. . Write a letter to the Seattle Mayor and City Council via https://dontclearcutseattle.org and tell them that you want to see stronger tree protection! . #dontclearcutseattle #friendsofseattlesurbanforest #seattleurbanforest #urbanforest #greenseattle #seattlestrees #thelast6000
Cause of death: MGT Builders, Ballard Tree Services and Seattle's ineffective tree regulations. This was despite 8+ alternative new development layouts that show how 4 to 5 dwellings could have been built on the lot while retaining the tree. . Write a letter to the Seattle mayor and City Council via https://dontclearcutseattle.org . (Drone photo credit: Dravus Aviation) . #dontclearcutseattle #thelast6000 #seattleurbanforest #urbanforest #seattletrees #greenseattle #friendsofseattlesurbanforest
Get in Touch
Tree stories, questions, volunteer info, or want a yard sign? We want to hear from you!!
info@DontClearcutSeattle.org