Seattle Grapples With Tree Losses

"People illegally cut trees to improve views, because they're concerned about trees toppling onto their houses, and because they find their needles and leaves to be messy."

"In the Emerald City, there are no restrictions on chopping down trees on private lots, except in sensitive areas such as slopes or shorelines and with new construction. With the explosion in the number of smaller homes being demolished to make way for townhouses or larger homes, trees are getting squeezed out."

"While a 2004 tree-planting partnership focused on parks, the city later this year will finalize a 30-year Urban Forest Management Plan, which sets citywide goals for increasing the amount of land covered by trees from 18 percent to 30 percent."

"The plan would strengthen incentives for tree planting and preservation. City leaders are proceeding cautiously with restrictions on chopping down privately owned trees."