Trees Removed Due to Complaint...

26 comments

• T talus August 29, 2013

  Dumb rule, dumber complaint. Ranks up their in the annals of worst North Slope tree disputes, right after the dispute that led to the removal of what may have been the Puget Sound area's largest redwood a couple of years ago. Practice civil disobedience -- plant a fruit tree.

  • O oldtownie September 13, 2013

    If it's the tree I'm thinking of, I'm incensed. Behind Jason Lee by a couple blocks? Last Summer, I drove and walked round and round, looking for it. I thought it was one of the most incredible things in my home town, and wanted to show it to a visitor, but now I fear its demise. Just what, exactly, would give a body the hubris required to complain about that tree? Complain well enough to have it killed?Who is this person?

• L Lisa Knutsen August 29, 2013

  I almost cried when I saw these trees were cut down! I met the gal who lives there last summer. She was very generous and told me I could pick some whenever I wanted. I'm a huge apple fan and want organic. This is really horrible. Shame on you for complaining and not enjoying natures bounty! Why couldn't they just have been trimmed a little instead of completely cut down??? I'll stop now before I start ranting. Although, I do feel a bit like ranting.

• G Good Call August 29, 2013

  This is the right call. The right of way is public property. Fruit trees attract vermin and wild animals that create health hazards. Fruit falls on sidewalks and creates more hazards, including slipping, tripping and having kids and other animals eat it and get sick. If you want a fruit tree the answer is simple - plant it in your own yard and take responsibility for it.

• D David August 29, 2013

  If you're going to get angry about such trees being cut, get mad at the right person: the one who planted it, in violation of common sense & our agreed-upon systems of regulation. If you want the regulation overturned, get started - but don't blame others for your actions.

• A Angie August 29, 2013

  This is a sad state of affairs, especially now when people are planting trees, gardens, and vegetables in the parking areas and actually making the neighborhoods nicer and more inviting. Not everyone has a big sunny yard, so they maximize what they have been given. It is sad when a good idea is stricken down by a vocal minority. If residents are responsible for taking care of that "public" space, then they should be able to beautify it with whatever is in their power to do so, until such time as the City reclaims it for their right of way needs. All that keeps Tacoma from being beautiful and inviting is a pile of outdated regulations and a few complainers.

• C ChiknGirl August 29, 2013

  I am surprised that fruit trees don't comply with city codes. The city was so kind to plant trees in my parking strip a few years back, but they have apparently left me in violation of codes because they are fruit bearing trees.

• N Name August 29, 2013

  Technically, a right of way is not always public property. These trees may be on the owner's property. However, the trees likely are located in an easement or right of way in which the City has jurisdiction.

  • T tacoma1 August 29, 2013

    From the photo, the trees were on the street side of the sidewalk. Little doubt that it isnt public property. Lot's of appropriate tree choices are available and encouraged by the city. I made sure to consult with them before I planted in the parking strip next to my house.

    • T tacoma1 August 29, 2013

      That it isn't private property/is public prop

• N North Sloper August 29, 2013

  The city planted a fruit tree in front of my house before I bought it...In fact, according to the neighbors/previous owners they paid landscapers to do the whole block. I wanted it removed because it was effecting my sewer line - the city wouldn't allow it. They did, however, require that I prune it up a bit or face a fine.

• F fred davie August 29, 2013

  Behold the workings of our liberal government: Illegal fruit trees must go Illegal aliens can stay

• J Jeff Klein August 29, 2013

  The Pierce County Gleaning Project can pick that fruit and take it to food bank, saving folks from slipping on downed fruit.

• F fred davie August 29, 2013

  Doubt if fruit grown in our arsenic / lead / cadmium tainted soil is especially beneficial but I suppose if you are really hungry you could eat it, Might give you a special "glow."

  • M Matt - Gleaning Coordinator August 30, 2013

    Fred - Fruit from trees, berry bushes, and veggie producing plants DO NOT contain arsenic/lead/cadmium in any harmful amounts (if any at all). Heavy metals are primarily a concern in roots and leafy greens. What is more of concern is residue from road pollution, however, that grime can be removed with a quick wash. If you are really concerned about residue on fruit, you can give them a brief soak in a 1:3 white vinegar to water solution, which pulls pesticides and inorganic residue from the fruit, this works on veggies too.

• W Weyland Duir August 29, 2013

  Sad state of affairs that the City would condemn a fruit tree because someone whined. Now if we could get the City to give us some crosswalks.

• C Cathy August 29, 2013

  A couple of years ago, the city made my sister cut down some large, mature elm trees on the right of way between the sidewalk and the street because they were sick. The city was afraid they would fall and kill someone or damage a car. Her neighbors did not take kindly to it, thinking my sister cut them down for her own reasons. She got several passive-aggressive anonymous notes to that effect put on her door and her car; rude, profane and a little scary. I wish more people would think before they complain... who is this affecting and how?

• S sir godfree August 30, 2013

  My cat was just killed by a coyote. I chased him off (in the rain, in my skivvies) but it was too late. I also have pears all over my yard due to an out of control tree from the previous property owner. It could be coincidence- but all of our decisions in nature make ripples. Coyotes, it turns out, eat and can therefore be attracted by fruit. http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/coyotes.html#problems As far as vermin, much depends on how the tree is managed. If picking up all fruit were the law and violations of that sort reportable, with some process like, you get 1 warning and then the tree goes...that might address those concerns. Other than that, my pears are delicious. Miss my cat though. We are all connected, ommmmmm...

  • M Matt - Gleaning Coordinator August 30, 2013

    Sir Godfree - if you have excess fruit, the Pierce County Gleaning Project can come out to your property to harvest the excess and pick up the ground falls. We donate at least 50% of the fruit to local food banks, feed sites, and community organizations. The rest is shared among volunteers and the homeowner. Give us a call at: 253-282-89109 or visit our website: www.piercecountygleaningproject.org Sorry to hear about your cat :(

  • M mary September 6, 2013

    Sorry about your cat

• J jDHasty September 2, 2013

  [quote]Sad state of affairs that the City would condemn a fruit tree because someone whined.  Now if we could get the City to give us some crosswalks.[/quote] If you are among friends, family or long time business associates you can get all sorts of things paid for by taxpayers, or influence policies that result in zoning that allows six-story high-rise buildings in residential neighborhoods.

• F fred davie September 3, 2013

  Instead of making a big stink the homeowner with the beloved fruit trees could have hired a tree service to dig up the poorly placed trees and replanted them where they were not in violation of city code. My wife and I have moved 2 or 3 large plants to better locations. It's not easy, but cutting down trees isn't always the only solution.

• T thackerspeed September 3, 2013

  If you really want a permanent flourish on your parking strip then add a pothole.

• D Duckabush Writer September 4, 2013

  Typical...without getting into the birth of capitalism and death of the commons....the trees were a free benefit to the community but in this culture "community" is secondary to individual fetishism (i.e. the complaint) to the bureaucrats (unelected government) who ...even tho there is no money or time to fix streets, etc can spend money to cut down fruit trees and sand blast crosswalks installed by citizens....so you think you live in a democracy? Silly people!

  • F fred davie September 7, 2013

    There was no confirmation that there ever was any complaint. That's just what somebody wrote on the sign. Also, it's not entirely clear that these trees were a "free benefit" to the community. It sounds to me like they were a nuisance.

• T thackerspeed September 13, 2013

  The real problem with fruit trees is portrayed in the movie "Wizard of Oz." Watch the scene with the apple trees.