Seattle is aiming to increase its tree canopy coverage to 30% across the city in the next 12 years, a goal that aligns with efforts to combat global warming.
The recent removal of old Norway Maples along Capitol Hill’s 15th Ave serves as a poignant reminder of both the challenges and potential that lie ahead in achieving this ambitious target.
These maples, which were planted in 1977, had long been dead, with significant deterioration observed in branches and bark.
As safety issues emerged, particularly in relation to nearby Metro bus lines, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) contracted for their removal.
Despite the city’s forward-looking plans for expanding the urban forest, there currently lacks a specific timeline for replanting at the site of the old maples.
An SDOT spokesperson informed Capitol Hill Seattle (CHS) that the areas are being added to the queue for stump removal, a necessary first step in potential replanting efforts.
While there are hopes for additional funding through the transportation levy to help achieve a leafier urban environment, it remains to be seen how quickly these plans can materialize.
In a detailed study funded by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program, SDOT investigated various neighborhoods, including Capitol Hill’s E Olive Way area.
The findings revealed that this neighborhood currently has approximately 15% canopy coverage, requiring a significant increase to meet the state’s recommended level.
The study highlighted a total of 105 potential street tree planting sites along 15th Ave and identified the necessity for 196 additional trees to hit the 30% coverage goal.
In densely populated districts like Capitol Hill, tree planting poses complex challenges.
Every new street tree demands strategic planning and coordination to ensure its survival and growth.
The report notes several barriers that complicate the process of planting more trees in the area:
1. Limited Space: The highly developed nature of Capitol Hill leaves few available spots for new tree plantings.
2. Utility Conflicts: A dense network of underground pipes and overhead wires often restricts suitable planting locations.
3. Pavement Removal: Significant areas of paved surfaces would need to be taken away to accommodate new trees.
To mitigate these challenges, the study recommends establishing minimum 5-foot-wide planting strips and increasing setbacks from driveways and other infrastructure to create more room for tree canopy.
However, such changes could lead to further complications, particularly amid the city’s ongoing housing crisis.
The research also involved surveying residents and local businesses about their support for measures to boost the area’s canopy coverage.
SDOT is actively looking to plant more trees in Capitol Hill and is conducting surveys in areas with less than 25% canopy coverage to formulate effective tree planting strategies.
According to their latest assessment, Capitol Hill’s canopy coverage stands at just over 15% as of spring 2025.
The ongoing survey results will guide future initiatives for expanding the urban tree canopy.
In the wake of the Norway Maples’ removal, SDOT plans to grind out the old stumps and prepare the sites for possible replanting.
These areas will be documented in City Hall’s official street tree inventory, making them candidates for future planting rounds as funding becomes available.
Local organizations, such as Kaiser Permanente, have the potential to support these initiatives, although they have not yet committed to assisting with the replanting efforts.
Kaiser, which operates in the vicinity of the removed trees, was referred to SDOT when CHS inquired about their future involvement in the greening of the area.
As Seattle embarks on its ambitious tree canopy project, the experiences gleaned from the 15th Ave site and other neighborhoods will be crucial in shaping effective strategies for the city’s urban forest expansion.
The goal of achieving 30% tree canopy coverage requires not only a commitment from city officials but also collaboration from residents, businesses, and various stakeholders to ensure the success of this green initiative.
image source from：https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2025/06/stumps-appear-along-capitol-hills-15th-ave-as-seattle-needs-help-to-quickly-grow-its-tree-canopy-to-30/
