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Permit may be required in Seattle to cut down trees

by LINDA BRILL / KING 5 News

KING5.com

Posted on January 31, 2011 at 6:47 PM

SEATTLE -- A group studying how to keep trees in Seattle recommends requiring permits to cut them down on private property. 

The Seattle Urban Tree Commission wants to change Seattle's tree cutting rules.

"As we are shifting to a greener world people are starting to realize trees make sense," says commission member Matt Mega.

Currently, a property owner can cut down a tree without a permit. There are some restrictions on the number, size and kind of trees that can be cut on private property. The Commission's proposal would increase the number of trees that would require permitting.

Martin MacAuley, with Blooma Tree Experts says, "it would be terrible if we had to go through every tree on a property. If they made it harder than it is now it would be an onerous task." 

MacAuley is currently getting permits for a North Seattle homeowner with two problem trees on the property. MacAuley says the permitting process has been costly and taken two months.

The proposal is similar to an idea that died last year. The Seattle City Council tabled it, deciding if it were law, property owners would still shy away from getting a permit.

The Seattle Urban Tree Commission will discuss it's proposal on Wednesday, before sending it to the Mayor and City Council for debate.

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Comments: Displaying 1 - 11 of 11

dcwmd said on February 2, 2011 at 4:17 PM

These trees are on PRIVATE property guys. We are not talking about the Forest Service, city parks, or your land. I should be able to do whatever I want to do with the trees on my land. If you don't like it, come buy my property. Simple as that.

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nolibkoolaid4me said on February 2, 2011 at 12:26 AM

I agree, all the outsiders and contractors are cutting every tree as they fulfill their lumberjack fantasies. What the hell color is the sky in your world? Foolish Greenie cult members, not happy unless you're worrying about nothing and imposing your brainwashing on others. Brain-donors...

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coffeekate said on February 1, 2011 at 10:42 PM

As soon as the city delays approving a permit aka fee, for a tree that then falls and kills someone, the city will be financially responsible for a lawsuit payment. One settlement in a death case will eat up 10 years of permit fees. It's bad fiscal policy. It's environmental policy that doesn't work, and this should die like it did last year.

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lilredcv said on February 1, 2011 at 8:55 AM

A quote from Pete's Dragon comes to mind, "Money, money, money by the pound!" One should not have to get a permit to cut down a tree on PRIVATE PROPERTY!!! There are many reasons to have a tree cut down, not the least is the fact they may be posing a danger to falling over into a house or into power lines. If a permit is needed to remove these dangerous trees then it could take weeks, if not months, to see to it and by then it could be too late! Who's going to pay for the damage then? The city, county, state that imposed the permit rule??? I won't be holding my breath for that to happen. It'll be the PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER who tried to have the tree removed and couldn't because of the permit issues who will be left holding the bag on all the damage costs.

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jackwong said on January 31, 2011 at 11:51 PM

This is definitely a step in the right direction. Perhaps if someone cuts down a tree without permission, they are required to replant a new one equivalent to the one they cut down no matter how much it cost. Else, the city would come in to fine them to the point of them losing their house.

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pamby said on January 31, 2011 at 9:13 PM

Washington is supposed to be known as the Evergreen State-yet contractors and people from elsewhere insist on chopping down trees. Pretty soon we are going to have very few trees at all. And trees that are being planted are decidious trees and not firs, pines or cedars. WTH?

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lsmith5870400119 said on January 31, 2011 at 9:02 PM

King County and the City of Seattle lose millions of dollars every year, every time the wind blows. Power outage and property damage. Some trees just need to come down and a property owner should not have to ask big brother. There are too many apartment dwellers making the rules.

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saintquickey said on January 31, 2011 at 8:51 PM

The city could accomplish the same thing by discounting property tax for tree owners. Rewards are so much better.

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saver1 said on January 31, 2011 at 8:44 PM

I just signed a contract to buy a house. One inch away from the house is the trunk of a cedar tree with a 12 inch diameter. I would have to get a permit to cut down this precious tree? I'll just check the contractors experience, insurance, and bonding, thank you.

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jonjuan said on January 31, 2011 at 7:37 PM

Pray tell how much is this permit (new tax) going to cost us to say we're so proud to be green.

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wheelerx said on January 31, 2011 at 7:14 PM

Ok guy's let's get to the jist of it, how much? How much money do you want in order to give a landowner permission to cut down his own tree? Do they need to file a certified EPA Site Impact Report with that? how about a tree falling projection study to evaluate the actual direction, speed and duration of the anticipated fall as well as a 90 day comment period for all the neighbors to pitch in their 2 cent opinions. Tell you what, you "buy" the tree and make it "your" property and then "you" can do whatever "you" want with "your" tree. And if "your" tree ever blows over in a windstorm .... "you" can pay for the liability of "your" tree!

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