Seattle's summer heat is breaking records and AC is essential for those who can afford it. But toxic urban heat isn't stopping planners in Seattle's construction department (SDCI) from pushing the removal of cooling, health-protecting trees in Seattle's most deforested neighborhoods.

‍

This time, we're standing up for Vida, an 80-ft tall native Douglas fir, the very last tree left on her block in South Park.

‍

A construction plan filed in March 2023 showed new housing built alongside Vida, who is healthy and grows in the lot's back corner. Instead, the project date was moved to fall under Seattle's new tree ordinance, which allows all trees to be removed for lots undergoing development. Now planners say Vida will be "removed and replaced" with a small tree and pavement.

‍

This one amazing tree reveals the City's intention to remove all of South Park's private property trees while loudly promoting planting programs on a small amount of public land. It proves what our recent data analysis reveals—​the 2023 tree ordinance and SDCI's practices are fueling the removal of thousands of Seattle's trees, and replacing them with pavement.

‍

South Park has only 12% tree canopy compared to 28% average city-wide. Residents have higher rates of respiratory illness and shorter lifespans than people in other neighborhoods. South Park is close to the airport, the Port and other diesel-heavy transportation arterials. It's an urban heat island and floods regularly in the winter. Evergreen trees like Vida are the single most effective and affordable solution to all these problems. SDCI is busy mowing them down.

‍

Join us Thursday to honor Vida and South Park's last big trees.