Save Shoreline Trees July Newsletter

www.saveshorelinetrees.com

TREE OF THE MONTH

This Little Shore Pine

by Boni Biery, Habitat Steward, Native Tree Advocate, Hillwood Resident

I have a tree in my yard that I used to just call a Shore Pine, but it turns out this tree is just one of several subspecies of Lodgepole pines (Pinus contorta) that share the name Shore Pine. So, I have learned that to be sure I name it correctly I need to use its botanical name to separate it from the others. It is actually a Pinus contorta ssp. contorta. This NW native grows from southern Alaska along the coast into northern California. These are tough, adaptable trees and will survive in wetter sites than other pines trees so long as they have enough sunlight. They also have a very high tolerance for salt spray and are often seen growing near our salty beaches with each tree maturing to its own twisting (contorta), picturesque shape.

These beautiful, native trees seldom exceed 35-50 feet in height. They have dark brown, scaly bark and can be further identified by their relatively short, often twisted needles in bunches of two needles each.

Pinus contorta
Photo by Robert L. Carr

Each spring the male “flowers” are initially cheerful, pale yellow packets of pollen in clusters near the tips of the old growth branches. The female flowers are little, dark purple coned-shaped formations that will mature into 1-2” cones borne in either pairs or clusters which point backward toward the trunk.

Western Pine Elfin
(Callophrys eryphon)
Photo by David Droppers,
WA Butterfly Association

The Pinus contorta var. contorta is also a larval host plant for our native Western Pine Elfin butterfly.
Eggs are laid at the base of young needles; caterpillars feed on young needles and catkins. Chrysalis overwinters and adults emerge in spring as butterflies.
These then move on to a number of flowers that serve as “host plants” for nectar.

While I have not seen this butterfly nor its eggs, I like knowing that it would have a place to live should it fly into my yard.

Just imagine, this one, small to medium-sized evergreen is a veritable grocery store for a whole community of creatures. Some of the birds in my yard known to enjoy the cones are: crossbills, chickadees, nuthatches, finches, bushtits, siskins and kinglets. They forage through the cones in search of seed and insect treasures depending on their needs. And of course, the squirrels forage the cones for seeds too.

Red-Breasted Sapsucker
Photo by Daniel Fitzgerald

In addition to all of this, this tree has long hosted red-breasted sapsucker(s) as confirmed by the tell-tale rows of sap-wells that go ‘round and ‘round the trunk by them. While I never see more than one sapsucker at a time, their sap “wells” help to feed many. The sticky sap wells entrap insects that small birds, including our hummers, eat.

How fortunate I am to have this tree and all of its wildlife visitors to observe and I know that my human neighbors like it too. If you have the space, I encourage you to plant one. They are well positioned to be successful as our climate grows warmer. The birds will surely thank you.

BOEING CREEK PARK
HIDDEN LAKE DAM REMOVAL

At the PRCS/Tree Board meeting on Thursday, June 24, Laura Reiter, City Engineer II Capital Projects, presented an update on the Hidden Lake Dam Removal. In Phase 1, fifteen (15) trees will be removed and 60 replacement trees will be planted. In Phase 2, thirteen (13) trees will be removed and 42 replacement trees will be planted “well over the trees required by the City municipal code” as stated by Ms. Reiter. For information regarding tree removal and tree replacements, contact Laura Reiter, 206-801-2457.

Please post any new information you obtain about the Hidden Lake Dam Removal to Save Shoreline Trees email group.

1st ANNUAL
SAVE SHORELINE TREES FUNDRAISER

We are having a party and want you to come! For more information
visit SST Fundraiser

BENEFITS OF SHORELINE CONIFER TREES

Barbara Johnstone wrote a timely letter to the Shoreline Area News reflecting on how our tall conifers help our climate. www.shorelineareanews.com

THE LAST 6,000

The Last 6,000 zeroed in on a Seattle neighborhood near Woodland Park Zoo. Seventy-five volunteers submitted 373 trees all with a trunk diameter of at least 30 inches, including six Giant Sequoias, one 57 inches, at 5216 8th Ave NW. The largest tree discovered was a 78 inch American Chestnut at 502 N. 47th St. Email saveshoreline trees@gmail.com if you know of a Giant Sequoia in Shoreline and the location.

The Last 6,000 is a collaborative citizen-led effort to locate, identify, and map Seattle's remaining majestic trees. The name comes from a 2016 report on Seattle's tree canopy stating only 6,338 trees of at least 30" trunk diameter are left in the City. The Last 6,000 was created in memory of Plant Amnesty founder Cass Turnbull.

RIDGECREST NEIGHBORHOOD

Photo taken at job site showing some of the trees removed.

Arcadia Homes is building 16 single family houses at 16541 8th Ave NE (DEV19-2838)
in the Ridgecrest neighborhood replacing two private residences. According to the final “tree retention calculation worksheet” approved by the City, code requires 133 replacement trees. However, the developer requested a reduction in replacement trees due to an easement on this property which would impede replacement trees from thriving. According to existing City of Shoreline municipal code 20.50.360(c)(b), the Planning Director may reduce the number of required replacement trees and/or require the developer to pay a “fee in lieu” of $2640/tree to the Shoreline tree planting fund. In September 2020, the Planning Director confirmed that 65 replacement trees would be waived and the developer can plant 68 replacement trees and 25 shrubs.

Additional information: one of the codes submitted by the Tree Preservation Code Team which will be reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council this year, removes the Director’s discretion to waive replacement trees, leaving the “fee in lieu” option.

TREE FACTS

We are always looking for interesting facts about trees to share with readers. The two items below appear on the website of Precision Landscape and Tree in Little Canada, MN. If you have an interesting tree fact to share, email to saveshorelinetrees@gmail.com and include the source.

Trees are the longest-living organisms on earth, and never die of old age. California holds the record for the longest living trees. Some of the state’s bristlecone pines and giant sequoias are 4,000-5,000 years old. Methuselah, an estimated 4,852-year-old ancient bristlecone pine, is one of the oldest living trees in the world.

If a birdhouse is hung on a tree branch, it won’t move up the tree as the tree grows. This is because trees grow from the top. Trees grow from their most distal ends, meaning that a branch will always be the same height as the day it emerged from the trunk. However, just because tree branches do not rise as a tree grows, doesn’t mean they will always be there. Many trees shed their lowest branches as they grow.

For more information:
https://www.precisiontreemn.com/tips/14-fun-facts-about-trees.html.

(Courtesy Precision Landscape and Tree.)

BRIEFS

Prop 1 Park Bond on November Ballot Though popular with voters, this bond measure that appeared on the April 2021 special election ballot did not pass due to a lack of 122 ballots. However, as approved by the City Council on June 28, Proposition 1 - the $38.5 million Park Bond Measure - will be placed on the November general election ballot.
City of Shoreline Transportation Master Plan (TMP) Survey 2 open until July 16. Let the City hear your comments!
Finding the Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard: New York Times Book review.
Join Save Shoreline Trees email group by signing up on the Save Shoreline Trees website or send an email to saveshorelinetrees@gmail.com
Save Shoreline Trees appreciates your donations to spread the word about tree protection and preservation to Shoreline residents. We are a 501(c)(3) and all donations are tax deductible as allowed by the IRS. Donate by credit or debit card or mail your check to Save Shoreline Trees, c/o 16069 Dayton Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133.

Contributors to this newsletter:
Melody Fosmore, Barbara Johnstone, Kathy Kaye, Boni Biery,
Kathleen Russell, and Susanne Tsoming.
Questions or comments may be emailed to saveshorelinetrees@gmail.com.