SDOT has just announced the release of a new web based tool for looking up what sort of trees are planted throughout Seattle. After taking inventory of over 122,000 street trees, SDOT has put together this handy, dandy little web based tree map that allows users to find out what types of trees are on their street and who is responsible for maintaining them. The website also lists each tree’s common and scientific name, the diameter of the trunk, the street address, the date the tree was planted or inventoried, and the date that the tree was last checked by a city arborist. Here’s the URL for the map: http://www.seattle.gov/
Users can also add to the inventory by providing information about nearby trees not listed on the map. SDOT also asks that folks contact the Urban Forestry office at 206-684-TREE (8733) to verify the on-line information before taking serious action with any particular tree.
The web based map will also be pretty important for property owners after the city updates the current ordinance (Seattle Municipal Code Section 10.52.030) on maintaining street trees. The ordinance states that the “Responsibility for maintenance of the planting strip lies with property owner. The City must ensure that the street and sidewalk are safe and passable, but the property owner must maintain the sidewalk and vegetation abutting his or her property.” For more information on the tree code, click here.
Is this at all related to the tree survey that neighbors helped with last year? I was wondering where all that data went….
Mike Ruby may have the results of that more recent survey. BTW, it is not new that homeowners are responsible for maintaining residential planting strip trees to city requirements. The biggest single improvement one can make is to create a sod and weed free tree pit at the base of the tree which also keeps lawn mowers and weed whackers at bay. It was a very mild year last year so the sod encroached on lots and lots of otherwise well cared for trees.
I participated in the survey for Mr. Ruby, including measuring trunk diameters. They didn’t ask us about all trees on a property, just some. I wonder if this is the same project. I’d hardly qualify as a “city arborist” but suspect it’s the same data.