Tree pruning along major street corridors in Shoreline in February

During the month of February, a crew from Puget Sound Corps will be pruning young street trees along the Meridian Avenue N, 5th Avenue NE, 8th Avenue NE, 15th Avenue NE, NE 185th Street, and NE 155th Street corridors. The City of Shoreline received an Urban Forestry Restoration Project Grant to conduct the work. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) Urban and Community Forestry Program is administering the grant.

Pruning will help the trees develop strong, sound structures that will keep them healthy and safe as they mature. Well cared for trees provide a wide variety of environmental benefits while also contributing to the health, beauty, and economic vibrancy of the community.

Originally, pruning was to take place along the Aurora corridor. However, due to traffic control issues, the City and DNR agreed to move to other major street corridors.

The Puget Sound Corps will be pruning for the trees' structural integrity to create a healthy growth habit, then for vehicle, pedestrian and line of site clearance. They are also doing some minor digging to pull away extra soil from trees planted too deep and removing the stakes from young trees that do not need the stakes for support after they are established. The Corps members are trained by DNR Community and Urban Forestry staff who are ISA-certified arborists. The Crew members work is periodically reviewed during their work to maintain high standards.

The City is beginning to develop a “boots on the ground” Urban Forestry Program – which – over time will include these tree maintenance tasks to avoid certain structural defects that can lead to weakened tree limbs that are prone to fail in weather events, etc. No large tree or utility pruning is occurring on this project. Most trees are less than 10 inches in diameter. 

For more information about the tree pruning work, contact Park Project Coordinator Maureen Colaizzi 206-801-2603. For more information about the Urban Forestry Restoration Program here, or contact Micki McNaughton at 360-902-1637.