Title
Agenda Item:
Legion Way Street Trees Status Report
Body
Issue:
Chair Langer requested an update on the status of the Legion Way Street Tree Management Program, including addressing the removal of existing tree stumps.
Committee Recommendation:
Not applicable.
City Manager’s Recommendation:
Not applicable; briefing only.
Note: The Legion Way Tree Replace Program is currently suspended due to budget and staff cuts. There is no money or staff time identified in 2013 budget for Legion Way trees.
Staff Contact:
Stacey Ray, Associate Planner, Community Planning and Development, 360.753.8046
Michelle Bentley, Urban Forester, Community Planning and Development, 360.753.8301
Presenter(s):
Stacey Ray, Associate Planner
Michelle Bentley, Urban Forester
Background and Analysis:
Historic Streetscape
Legion Way, from Plum Street east to Central Street, is lined by mature Red oaks, Pin oaks, and Sweetgums. This local historic landmark was originally planted in 1928 to honor Olympia residents who had fought in the Spanish American War and World War I, and serves as a living monument to those who dedicated their lives to serve their country. Today, the tallest Legion Way trees are 40-90 feet in height and provide a shady canopy over the streetscape and adjacent homes and businesses.
Unfortunately, until PSE rerouted utilities onto an adjacent alley in 1988, a large percentage of the trees were topped to maintain clearance from overhead utility lines. For the sake of uniformity, the remaining trees were also aggressively topped. Once an accepted pruning practice, topping is now understood to be permanently damaging to the health, structure, and long-term viability of a tree. As a result, the trees on Legion Way have developed very unnatural, inherently weak support structures. As the trees have continued to grow, the defects have continued to worsen, and the City has had to response to over 20 emergency failures and removals in the last 12 years.
Long-Ter...
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