The Seattle Department of Transportation has provided more details of how it might handle the dozens of Red Sunset Maples surrounding Cal Anderson Park as it works to improve damaged sidewalks in the area.

CHS reported earlier this month on the “tree retention evaluation” underway at the park as SDOT said the area along 11th Ave and other areas of the park were being evaluated “to consider possible solutions to address sidewalk damage with minimal impact to the trees.”

SDOT said one possible solution could be to adjust the path of the sidewalk around the trees. A spokesperson said other solutions to preserve the trees in areas where there is no room to zig zag around them are being considered.

In an update sent to CHS, SDOT said crews are removing the old sidewalk pavement, “exposing the roots so that arborists can evaluate their condition and use established standards to determine if pruning is necessary and how it can be done without harming the trees.”

If rerouting the sidewalk doesn’t work, SDOT says examples from another recent sidewalk project could be put to use at Cal Anderson including the use of metal plates to bridge over existing tree roots that were growing close to the height of the new sidewalk.

SDOT says the metal plates allow for a “non-skid” walking surface under 1 1/2 inches thick. The slim profile reduces impacts on roots, letting the trees stay where they are while ensuring the sidewalk is accessible.

Another strategy could be raising the sidewalk to be installed over tree roots.

The efforts to save the Cal Anderson maples comes as Seattle this week put a long awaited new tree ordinance in place with new rules hoped to help better protect the city’s urban canopy.

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