Exciting news Seattle neighbors! Seattle reLeaf’s 2012 Trees for Neighborhoods program is underway! Want to beautify your home and neighborhood? Build a healthy community? Here’s your chance!
Trees for Neighborhoods provides up to 4 trees per household to plant in residential yards. In addition to free trees, participants in the program receive free watering bags, training on proper planting and care of trees, and ongoing tree care support.
Street tree applications will be due September 1 and yard tree applications will be due October 21. However, many species do sell out quickly, so submit your application as soon as possible. To check out the beautiful tree species available and application information go to seattle.gov/trees/treesforneighborhoods.htm.
We want to highlight a few of the beautiful trees that need a good home and want to be a part of the West Seattle community.
- The Fernleaf Beech – The Romans believed carrying around a piece of beech wood could bring good luck. Let the fernleaf beech bring good fortune to your yard with its whimsically shaped leaves that turn an enchanting gold, lighting up the neighborhood.
- The Western Red Cedar – Lewis and Clark thought that western red cedars were amazing enough to be called the “trees of life” – arbor vitae. Plant one in your backyard and you’ll be on your way to helping our cities be full of life.
- The Frontier Elm – While most elms turn yellow in autumn, ‘Frontier’ is a trail blazer with striking burgundy-red foliage. This unique cultivar of Chinese and European elms can be an exciting addition to your backyard!
- The Japanese Cedar – Despite its name the Japanese cedar is not a true cedar. Instead this bluish needled tree is a member of the cypress family. An evergreen with true year-round interest! Grey-green needles take on a bronze color in winter with stunning red toned bark.
For more information contact Norah Kates, Green Cities Project Coordinator, phone 206-905-6943 or email nkates@forterra.org; or contact Forterra (formerly Cascade Land Conservancy), 615 Second Avenue, Suite 600, Seattle, or their website at www.forterra.org.
