posted 08/10/09 10:23 AM | updated 08/10/09 10:36 AM
Views: 634 | Comments : 1 | News, etc.

15th & Aloha sweetgum tree slated for removal

By mvb
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As CHS reported earlier, an arborist was sent to check out the condition of the sweetgum tree that dropped a huge branch across Aloha near 15th Avenue East, and the news was either not good (certainly for the tree) or good (if you prefer not having huge branches fall on your head). A tree removal notice has been posted, stating that the loss of branches has left the tree's trunk in a dangerous condition, and you can almost hear the chainsaws approaching. The sweetgum is a "soft" hardwood, so it's actually valuable. I don't know what the city does with saleable wood in cases like this. I hope it doesn't go to waste.

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Sweetgum
I like the sweetgum name better than liquidambar but they're both pretty good names!

In May's tree incident on Harvard, a company was brought in to work with the valuable wood. In that case, it was an elm.
http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2009/05/05/morning-harvard
A company that specializes in utilizing wood from amazing trees like this one is also involved in the project. Urban Hardwoods will be taking the main trunk wood and creating furniture, a traffic control officer at the scene said. That officer said the tree also has a nickname. "We called her 'Lena at first. Now we call her 'Harvey," the officer said as she stopped yet another car from trying to drive down Harvard Ave E.

Will have to ask about the money part of this situation.
Comment by jseattle
August 10, 2009