We can get free trees for our neighborhood through the Tree Fund, a program of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. It is an easy way for us to beautify our neighborhood and help the environment, while connecting with our neighbors.
Groups of neighbors from at least five households living on a street or block can request from 10 to 40 trees per project. In addition, every participating household can have a fruit tree for their own yard. Information on how to organize your neighborhood, the selections of trees, as well as the application form, can be found at www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf/treefund.htm. Deadline for applications is August 16.
Through the Fund, Seattle residents have planted more than 20,000 trees in the last 15 years, and built stronger community connections along the way.
In 1972, Seattle’s land area had a tree cover of 40 percent. That cover has dropped to 22%. The decline threatens nature’s ability to help manage storm water, reduce erosion, absorb climate-disrupting gases, improve public health and clean the air. The goal of the Tree Fund program is to increase the percentage back to 30 percent, build community, and promote a clean and green environment for Seattle’s streets.
See a map of Seattle tree canopy as of 2002 and scroll over each area: http://www.seattleaudubon.org/sas/WhatWeDo/Conservation/UrbanLivability/SeattlesNeighborhoods.aspx
Pinehurst is in the North Neighborhood, whose tree canopy was 29% back then. It is no doubt less now.
For questions or additional information, contact Judy Brown, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, at 206.684.0714.
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