We continue our series highlighting trees that work for gardens in Edmonds. It’s presented by Master Gardener Barbara Chase, who serves on the Edmonds Tree Board.
Fall 2017 has had some of the most beautiful color in many a season. October had many sunny days and cool nights, which encourage rich color. Drenching rains and winds held off, so the leaves had a better chance of staying on the trees,
By contrast, the fall color on the East Coast was more subdued because of the warmer-than-usual weather.
Japanese maples, Korean dogwood, Sourwood and the bush euonymous alata were among the standouts. Sumac had outstanding color also. The city tree, Bowhall Maple, added to the colorful display on downtown streets.
Birch trees and willows are still hanging on to their leaves, while the native vine maple is now bare of leaves and waiting for its rebirth in the spring.
Now is the time to consider the right fall color tree or bush that will add to the beauty of our city for next year. Put it on the things-to-do list for spring or fall planting.
— By Barbara Chase
A quick update on the yellow leaves. The yellow leaves are on the willow. The vine maple has lost its leaves.
I love trees and the birds in them.
what I have a complaint about is that your Board does not consider laurel, or other hedges be trimmed and not grow beyond 6′ in height. We can only put up 6′ fences but laurels (and other types of planted hedges) can grow wide into the sidewalks or as tall as a 20-30 tree.
These conditions only persist because City of Edmonds fails to enforce its own ordinance in Edmonds City Code and City Development Code:
17.30.010.C. Hazard. No fence or other obstruction may be constructed or maintained if it creates a hazard to users of the street or nearby property.
18.85.060.A. Pruning Required. Any property owner who owns property on any street shall prune or otherwise prohibit private trees or other vegetation growing on his property in such manner that they will not block or shade the light from the street lights, obstruct the passage of persons on the sidewalks, obstruct vision of traffic signs, or obstruct the view of any intersection or alley intersection.
good to know about the rules except that once the City has sent out a notice, if the property owner does not comply, the City has no recourse I have been told. so the City Code is pretty useless!
Don’t blame the City Code, it does offer options for recourse.
Dawn Redwoods are also a great urban tree. Deciduous conifers. Very beautiful golden foliage this time of year.
I’d like to see trees and bushes trimmed away from street signs, road signs, etc. Not just Edmonds, but the whole Seattle area. It is impossible to know where to turn. I can imagine how difficult it must be for people unfamiliar with the area. When I lived in another city in another state, a property owner was given notice to trim a tree obstructing a sign or sidewalk within 10 days. If said tree(s) were not trimmed, the city did it and sent the property owner a bill. Now, let’s see–if a city is at fault, to whom to we send the bill??
I would like the Tree Board to have lists of recommended trees available. Many times people choose cheap,fast growing trees/shrubs and live to regret it.
The Tree Board is an advisory group. It neither passes the laws regarding trees nor enforces them.
We try very hard to educate people about choosing and caring for trees.