More Wedgwood Cedars Falling

10/5/24 Wedgwood neighborhood. Three centenarian cedars will be cut down for development.

The Wedgwood neighborhood, which is home to the now-famous cedar tree Luma that was saved by citizen activism, was the site of another “gratitude gathering” for more endangered trees. Sadly, unlike Luma, three centenarian cedars will likely not be saved. They stand on a property that will be developed by Legacy Group Capital, one of Seattle’s largest development companies, which has so far purchased 530 properties in Seattle. Weak city ordinances are too easily evaded by the likes of Legacy.

I attended the gathering last Saturday on this quiet street, where neighbors and other concerned citizens came out to express sadness and appreciation for these and all trees that we benefit from every day. The homeowner of the adjacent property told me that although the equally mature trees on her property cannot be cut, they will likely be at risk because they’re so close to where work will take place. One of the tree experts who spoke at the gathering said trees are not stand-alone individuals; when one is cut down, it affects the health of the rest of the grove.

Representatives of Tree Action Seattle, the citizen activist group fighting for climate justice, say the best course of action for citizens is to write to city councilmembers. We were encouraged to express our concern at the ballot box and at public meetings.

I enjoyed sketching some of the many dogs who came along with their humans to the event.

To help raise awareness, I continue to sketch as many endangered trees as I can in my neighborhood and around it. Walking the mile or so to Wedgwood on a lovely afternoon, I thanked all the many mature trees I passed that are still thriving.