More Wedgwood Cedars Falling

 

10/5/24 Wedgwood neighborhood. Three centenarian cedars will be cut down for development.

The Wedgwood neighborhood, which is home to the now-famous cedar tree Luma that was saved by citizen activism, was the site of another “gratitude gathering” for more endangered trees. Sadly, unlike Luma, three centenarian cedars will likely not be saved. They stand on a property that will be developed by Legacy Group Capital, one of Seattle’s largest development companies, which has so far purchased 530 properties in Seattle. Weak city ordinances are too easily evaded by the likes of Legacy.

I attended the gathering Saturday on this quiet street, where neighbors and other concerned citizens came out to express sadness and appreciation for these and all trees that we benefit from every day. The homeowner of the adjacent property told me that although the equally mature trees on her property cannot be cut, they will likely be at risk because they’re so close to where work will take place. One of the tree experts who spoke at the gathering said trees are not stand-alone individuals; when one is cut down, it affects the health of the rest of the grove.

Representatives of Tree Action Seattle, the citizen activist group fighting for climate justice, say the best course of action for citizens is to write to city councilmembers. We were encouraged to express our concern at the ballot box and at public meetings.

I enjoyed sketching some of the many dogs who came along with their humans to the event.

To help raise awareness, I continue to sketch as many endangered trees as I can in my neighborhood and around it. Walking the mile or so to Wedgwood on a lovely afternoon, I thanked all the many mature trees I passed that are still thriving.

Give Astra a Chance

2/24/24 Astra, a 100-year-old western red cedar, Wedgwood neighborhood

Astra, an ancient western red cedar, first came to my attention last fall when the organization The Last 6000 put out a call: The 100-year-old tree was in danger. Although architects had shown ways in which the development could be built while still allowing the tree to live, the developer of the property where Astra stood had applied to have the healthy tree cut down.

A Gratitude Gathering had been scheduled for Feb. 24 to raise awareness of the tree’s imminent danger. Two days before that, the tree was vandalized (suspected by the developer) and injured so that it would be at risk of falling, giving the developer legitimate grounds to cut it down.

Unlike many major US cities, Seattle allows trees to be managed by the same department responsible for development. That seems like a direct conflict of interest. The result is that laws are in place to protect old trees, but the laws are not always enforced. Even when they are enforced, developers simply pay the penalty and go forward with their plans with no consequences.

I joined the substantial group at the Gratitude Gathering in the Wedgewood neighborhood, where the block in front of the property had been closed so the event could take place. Police cars blocked either end of the street. Neighbors and other concerned citizens listened to speakers describe the challenges and answer questions. At the close of the ceremony, people sang a variation of the John Lennon refrain: “All we are saying is give trees a chance.”

9/17/23 Astra's forked trunk sketched last fall.

Quiet Sketch Reportage: Seattle Trees

 

7/23/23 Luma, a culturally significant cedar in Wedgwood, and an idle excavator on the adjacent property.

8/3/23 This healthy Douglas fir growing where 
a housing development will be built was cut down
11 days after I sketched it. Maple Leaf neighborhood.

While many of us may think that “sketch reportage” involves being in the trenches on a battlefield (as Richard Johnson, former Washington Post artist, became well known for) or participating in large public rallies, it can be quieter, too. This summer Gabi Campanario, editor of the online publication On the Spot, gave me an opportunity to report on a tree that had captured the hearts of Seattle. Named Luma by its supporters, the 200-year-old Western Red Cedar was slated to be cut down to make room for construction of a housing development.

I’m fortunate to live in a city where trees are a prominent part of the urban landscape, and I always enjoy including trees in my urban sketches (especially when utility poles, wires and other human-made features are involved). Working on Luma’s story, however, gave me a much greater appreciation for the sketch reportage process – that it’s much more than just the fun of urban sketching as I have always known it.

In addition, I learned much about my subject matter: Mature trees like Luma are being cut down at an alarming rate all over Seattle, especially in less affluent neighborhoods. Living a comfy, privileged life in Maple Leaf, I had understood the term “climate justice” only peripherally. Suddenly I was becoming aware of how much is at stake when trees that take a century to grow are eliminated from the landscape. The impact is socio-economical as well as environmental.

8/14/23 In the Roosevelt neighborhood, a resident had ordered this 100-year-old Deodar cedar to be cut down to accommodate a new plumbing line. Tree activists gathered on the morning of the scheduled cutting to raise awareness among neighbors.

Using information I’m learning from the organization Tree Action Seattle, I’m trying to sketch as many threatened trees as I can, especially those near my own neighborhood. The numbers are staggering – I can’t sketch fast enough, and sometimes I’m too late. But every tree I sketch has become an opportunity to express gratitude to all trees that silently provide service to all of us every day.

8/23/23 While technically protected by city code, a heritage yellowwood tree in Wallingford is in danger of being damaged during construction of a multi-level townhouse on the property. Fewer than 500 heritage trees -- of exceptional size, form or rarity -- still exist in Seattle.  

9/8/23 This redwood was planted in the 1930s by Green Lake Elementary School students. Fencing supposedly protects it from nearby construction activities, but the fencing does not comply with city code, and the tree's roots may be injured. City officials are aware of the non-compliance but are not enforcing the code.

9/9/23 Tree Action Seattle informed concerned citizens about this block of trees slated to be cut down in Shoreline. Unfortunately, I couldn't get there before the cutting. Fliers urging neighbors to voice their concern still hung from the stumps.

Street Scenes

1/20/17 Greenwood

I don’t know about the rest of you Seattle urban sketchers, but I find that the deeper we go into winter, the lower my standards are for what constitutes inspiring sketch subjects. Any sketch I make must be done from the warmth and comfort of my “mobile studio,” which means my scope and viewpoint are limited.

That said, I’m getting lots of practice with trees, power lines and parked cars. 

1/17/17 Wedgwood

1/16/17 Maple Leaf

Lincoln Park Foliage

I challenged myself to draw something besides man-made geometry and piles of clutter. Extremely difficult to find an inroad to a scene without platonic solids but a good opportunity to stretch. Next time I'll draw the play structure or the camping sheds.

Color along the Canal

Looking south across the ship canal, I was thinking how different this would have looked when the canal was begun in 1911. Many more evergreens and far fewer golds and oranges. I doubt there would have been any alizarin crimsons.

Sketch/Painting of Trees

Here's a sketch/painting (watercolor) from a recent outing with Beth near Lake Washington. It was a very sunny beautiful day, full of color...

joys of the waterfront

Was a great day to connect with friends and draw in the cold outside or the warm inside! This was a view west from the streetcar station, a block from the bookstore.
And here is Ramesh's 46-second portrait of another sketcher -- we timed him!

Everyone has fun at the Food Circus!

For those of you who were not here in Seattle in 1962, the Center House used to house the Food Circus and the Bubbleator (prompting the eternal joke, "What happened to the tourist lady who visited the Seattle World's Fair?"), a clear spherical acrylic elevator that moved people slowly and futuristically from the first floor to the second -- and back! For some of us, the Food Circus will always be with us....

It was great to see all of you sketchers and your beautemous sketchbooks of wonder. Here are the leaves I came to paint today!