Seattle Looking for Better Tree Protections

Advocates and politicians are mustering ideas and support for new tree ordinances that line up with the city's climate goals.

1 minute read

February 16, 2018, 12:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Tree Canopy

Martin Cathrae / Flickr

Advocates are pushing for better tree protection practices in the city of Seattle.

According to an article by Amy Radil, the city's complaint-based system is often too late to save trees, Advocate Carolyn Rodenberg, of 150 Trees and Me, says "We need to get it to where we're protecting the trees while they're still standing."

A prominent example of the failure of the city's current protection scheme came when a group of homeowners cut own trees to improve their views. The homeowners ended up paying an $800,000 fine for removing the trees, but the trees are gone.

Rodenberg's group is pushing the city to combine its climate goals with any potential tree ordinance the city might approve in the future. Meanwhile, the city lacks any practices to track trees or to enforce compliance from private landowners. Nearby suburbs, however, can provide the city of Seattle with models for better tracking and enforcing tree regulations. 

Thursday, February 8, 2018 in KUOW

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business