TREE WALKS RESUME “We are excited to announce that Trees for Seattle volunteers and staff are beginning to offer Tree Walks again! At the moment, walks will be offered in small groups and all participants must wear a mask. Also, please register in advance. As we move toward a full opening for the state, we will update our social media with event information and requirements. …You can find the Tree Walks using Seattle Tree Walks mobile App, available for free download on your Apple or Android smartphone. .”
WHAT’S EATING MY TREE? “In late May, staff gathered in North Beacon Hill at Dr. Jose Rizal Park to learn from WSU entomologist Todd Murray about a few of Seattle’s invasive tree pests. The park is home to many bigleaf maple trees as well as a small plum and apple orchard. Visitors and staff noticed that the leaves on these decidious trees were being eaten, likely by an insect, in Jose Rizal and nearby Sturgus and Daejon Parks. One of the staff exclaimed that some trees looked like they no longer had leaves but instead, green lace. That day, the team confirmed that winter moth was the invasive insect impacting these trees. Although concerning, Mr. Murray explained that winter moths are cyclical- there are years with more moths and years with fewer. He wasn’t worried about the amount of tree canopy lost to the moths this year alone but cautioned that warmer, drier springs and summers might stress these moth-impacted trees. He educated staff about a parasitic fly that was introduced in the early 1990’s that helps Washington control its winter moth populations.
“Have you noticed something is different with a tree that you care about? Is there a tree in your yard that had leaves a few weeks ago but now many are missing, have holes, or are turning brown (before the fall)? These can all be important signs and could indicate that your tree is being impacted by an invasive pest. Did you know that most invasive pests are first observed and reported by residents and not by scientists? Simply observing your trees and taking note of any changes is an important step in preventing the spread of invasive insects and diseases. If you do notice a change that you think should be reported or have any questions about your tree, you can contact an arborist at Trees for Seattle. Also, keep an eye on our website for more information on invasive tree pests.”
NEW LEGISLATION PROTECTS THE TREE CANOPY “the Evergreen Communities Act passed in May? Last month, on May 10, The Evergreen Communities Act was signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee after being passed by the state legislature earlier this month. The Act received full funding to support Urban Forestry across the state. The bill includes funding for a statewide inventory of urban forests and supporting cities with tools like: tree inventories, canopy analyses and ordinances. “
FNC thanks Trees for Seattle for all this information. More from their newsletter: “Check out the Green Seattle Partnership volunteer calendar for upcoming opportunities in a Seattle park or natural area near you! Learn more about COVID-19 safety protocols and register here. “