In 2019 a residential customer on Capitol Hill was contacted by SDCI after a complaint about clearance over the public sidewalk. Eight feet of clearance is required for any tree growing over a sidewalk in the City of Seattle. This regulation had gone unenforced for at least several decades.
Lead Arborist Allen assessed the tree and determined that (in addition to being one of the most beautiful trees in the city) raising to 8' over the sidewalk would require the removal of several large and important branches opening large canopy gaps and creating significant wounds. He prepared a written report recommending limited raising to a compromise of 7’ 6" which would allow for the retention of the important branches.
SDCI approved the pruning specifications put forward in the report. Our arborists then implemented the pruning specifications during the tree's dormancy. The visit was also an opportunity to help the client with other trees on her property.
We then made a return visit in March of 2021 to remove dead twigs and to maintain clearance. We look forward to having a long term relationship with this very special tree. The icing on the cake was that the tree was selected as a heritage tree!
