The Log Cabin Cedar is a 6-foot wide cedar in Bitter Lake. Its name originates from a historic log cabin that used to be next to it on the lot — before it was torn down by Legacy Group Capital (without proper paperwork) to build three huge homes, sprawled across the lot. Legacy is after this tree next.
State Law Says This Tree Stays. SDCI Is Removing It Anyway.
Under the Washington Timber Trespass Statute (RCW 64.12.030), the removal of a boundary tree without the consent of all property owners is unlawful. The cedar may mostly appear to be on Legacy’s property — but third-party arborists have determined it likely grows on a neighbor’s property, too. SDCI is illegally not giving the neighbor a voice in the matter.
This Cedar Might Be A Culturally Modified Tree
The log cabin cedar is huge — almost 6 feet wide, with 12 trunks (we count 12, but Legacy’s arborist only counted 5). A tribe is currently evaluating this tree. Culturally Modified Trees (CMTs) are living history. Tribes are subject matter experts on CMTs.