Seattle, "The Emerald City", is a great, green region known for its parks, gardens, greenbelts, street plantings – all of which make up the urban forest.

Seattle is now growing its second to third city forest. Once Seattle was heavily forested. In fact, the first mayor owned the sawmill.  As the city grew, though, most trees were cleared for firewood or lumber, except for those on steep hills and in ravines. Some of these areas, owned by the City such as parks or greenbelts, remain forested today.

Street trees, of course, are different from those areas that were originally forested. Very few street trees were planted before 1900 and most of the older trees in Queen Anne and on Capitol Hill weren't planted much before 1920. These are some of the City's most valued and grandest trees - but many are nearing the end of their natural lifespan and will need to be replaced.  Another challenge to maintaining a sustainable urban forest in Seattle is balancing the interests of the entire community when healthy, mature trees grow into a view corridor.  And one of the most urgent problems is that the majority of Seattle’s woodlands are heavily invested with ivy, blackberries, holly and other invasive plant species that squeeze out the native trees and undergrowth.

How does the City manage the urban forest?

Several different City departments share responsibility for the city’s urban forest but the two most important are Seattle Department of Transportation which is responsible for street trees and rights of way, and the Parks and Recreation Department which manages thousands of acres of City property, most of which includes trees.  All of the City departments whose work involves the health of the urban forest meet regularly as the Urban Forest Coalition to help ensure good communication and do joint problem solving. In addition to Parks and Seattle Department of Transportation, the coalition includes representatives from Seattle City Light, Seattle Public Utilities, Fleets and Facilities, the Department of Neighborhoods, Seattle Center, the Department of Planning and Development and the Office of Sustainability & Environment.

Urban Forest Coalition Vision Statement

A tree in a community is everything; a source of beauty, an air purifier, a heat modifier, a soil stabilizer, wildlife habitat and even adding to property value.

Trees are an essential part of a healthy urban environment; their root systems hold soil in place, preventing erosion.  A city's urban forest can reduce peak storm runoff by 10 to 20 percent, according to the USDA Forest Service.  Trees help maintain healthy air quality by absorbing, or sequestering, carbon dioxide and converting it into oxygen to breathe.  One acre of trees provides enough oxygen for 18 people, and absorbs as much carbon dioxide as a car produces in 26,000 miles.  Trees also remove sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, two major components of acid rain and ozone pollution, from the air.  Trees reduce noise pollution by acting as a buffer and absorbing urban noise.

Added to all the environmental and health benefits of urban trees are the economic value that they add: mature trees raise property values by up to 20 percent, according to the American Forestry Association.  And, trees contribute to a community’s well being, giving a neighborhood a sense of home, framing views and creating feelings of relaxation and comfort – and homes for birds and other wildlife!  A healthy and sustainable urban forest is truly a fundamental part of the Seattle community.

Of course, all the benefits of trees – environmental, health, economic and aesthetic – really only occur once a tree starts to mature, thus underlining the fact that a healthy city tree is an investment worth keeping!

	Seattle’s street trees consist of a mix of species; diverse composition reduces the risk of major losses to diseases. Twenty-five percent of street trees are ornamental plums or cherries, 13.5 percent are Sweetgum and 13 percent are Norway maple.
	Since 1999, more than 30,000 trees have been planted in Seattle’s parks, boulevards and rights of ways.
	The best time to plant trees is in the fall. If you plant in the spring, and with all new trees for the first 2-3 years, be sure to provide plenty of water during the summer. We recommend a minimum of 5 gallons of water per diameter inch of trunk at least once a week.
	Seattle’s canopy cover, a good indicator of the benefits and services provided by trees, is estimated to be 25 percent with satellite images from 1972, 1986 and 1996 showing a substantial reduction in the area of heavy tree cover.
	A 2000 survey of Seattle residents showed that, despite increased urban density, over 80 percent of respondents consider Seattle a green city.
	According to a report done for the City, the average pruning cycle of 19 years for Seattle’s street trees is well above the 9.9-year average for 14 comparison cities.
	Trees also reduce heat loss in winter. Strategically planted conifers can buffer a building from chilly winter winds, and create a dead air space to prevent heat loss.

Contact us

24-hour tree emergencies: 386-1218

	If it’s about planting, pruning or removing trees along streets contact the City Arborist at 684-7649 or tree@seattle.gov. For Heritage Trees or trees in traffic circles, call 684-5008.
	Questions about street trees that will be affected by development should go to the Landscape Architect’s Office at Seattle Department of Transportation 684-5693.
	If the tree is in a City park, greenbelt or along a boulevard, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 684-4113.
	For rules on trees on private property affected by development, contact the Department of Planning and Development at 864-8372.
	When trees are interfering with power lines, contact Seattle City Light at 386-1663

More Useful Information About Seattle’s Trees

	Our goal is the "right tree in the right place, so in most cases a no-fee permit is required to plant a tree in a city planting strip or other right of way.  Call 684-7649 for more information. In addition to a free permit, we’ll provide assistance on plant selection, placement and proper planting and maintenance techniques.
	Seattle Department of Transportation maintains street trees that are planted by the City. All other trees are the responsibility of the adjacent property owner.
	A street use permit is required to prune or remove any tree in a right of way.  Call 684-7649 for more information.
	Free trees (10 to 40) for residential streets are available to community groups through the Department of Neighborhoods.  Call 684-0464

Links

	Seattle Urban Forest Assessments - Sustainability Matrix (PDF 801KB)
	Heritage Tree Program (PDF 145KB) or online form

Tree Planting

Grants for tree planting - Department of Neighborhoods

New Tree Planting - Seattle Transportation

Planting Strip Landscaping - Seattle Transportation

Street Tree Planting Procedures - Seattle Transportation

Tree Maintenance & Pruning

Tree Pruning/Removal - Seattle Transportation

Tree Trimming & Vegetation Management - Seattle City Light

Trees and Development

Tree Protection Ordinance / Tree Protection Resolution

Tree Canopy

Master Street Tree Plan

Seattle Tree Inventory