Save Grace the Giant Sequoia

REMOVAL IS IMMINENT!

DESTRUCTION ON APRIL 29 BY KINGS TREES. Replacement trees are 6-foot shore pines — a direct violation of the Seattle Tree Ordinance.

Send a prewritten email to the Mayor, the SDCI Director and City Council.

This beautiful Giant Sequoia is located right in the heart of the Green Lake neighborhood, just a block from the park. It stands over 100 feet tall and five feet wide and has been here longer than most of the homes in the area: about 120 years*!

* the tree’s age is estimated. It could be a mere 50 years old, but its size and grandeur are what makes it worth saving.

It’s not just the Sequoia, either. There are many fine trees on this site that could be preserved and ideally, with your help, they will be.

Want to help?

yard sign

Outreach to the owner, the architect, Seattle City Council and Seattle Dept. of Construction and Inspection (SDCI) has been ineffective. We need new ideas! We don’t know what needs to happen next — maybe you have the answer? Take action now and make good trouble.

Green Lake’s oldest resident to be killed!

A new owner from Kenmore has decided to demolish the existing home and destroy this amazing “heritage tree” in Seattle–one of the few left in the area.

Located at 5834 Woodlawn Ave N

This “Heritage-quality” tree is just one block from Green Lake. Its estimated age of 120 years coincides with the 1902 build-date of the original home on the property. This Giant Sequoia is literally as old as the neighborhood itself.

The Giant Sequoia is the defining feature of this property. One can imagine instead designing a home around its majesty rather than its demise.

Redwoods like this one are well suited to our environment and sequester more carbon than any other species. There are fewer than 200 sequoias on private property in Seattle.

Proposed Construction

The new construction proposed takes no account of this grand dame and ushers it and other large trees on the property to be destroyed unnecessarily. 

Images Courtesy: Tree Action Seattle

Alternative Proposal

Tree Action Seattle, a local environmental group has consulted with an architect to propose modest modifications to the design that would retain the Giant Sequoia, many of the other large conifers, while retaining the living space of the home and enclosed parking.

What do the neighbors say?

  • I personally see the falcon who perches in this tree regularly and we have seen bald eagles land in this tree. When Woodland Park Zoo’s falcon went missing from their flight learning experience, this is the tree where he was safely located. There is no denying how many birds and countless other creatures use this tree.
    – Neighbor
  • For over 40 years, I have strolled by this magnificent tree that is an anchor in our neighborhood. It is unique, beautiful and historic. To remove it would be to remove a landmark that preceded colonization of this area. It can never be replaced. Please work to find a solution that works for all.
    – Neighbor
  • My daughter’s bedroom looks out onto those beautiful trees and she is able to see owls in the early mornings. They make such a big positive impact on the neighborhood, it would really be such a loss for them to be cut down.
    – Neighbor
  • That tree is home to so many beautiful birds and other animals. We love watching it from our front window all seasons of the year. With climate change you can’t ignore the fact that this huge tree helps remove so much carbon from the atmosphere. Please don’t let it be removed for a driveway.
    – Neighbor
  • I’m concerned by this action and the direction we’re taking. These trees are a part of our history, natural landscape, and are a reminder of our beautiful city and region. The plan to tear it down even though there is a way to preserve the tree on the property…doesn’t align with our values as a city.
    – Neighbor