Op-Ed: Citizen Action Saves 14 Elm Trees
Friday, July 24, 2026
After the removal of 1400 trees for the construction of the two light rail projects in Shoreline, Sound Transit was to plant 7400 replacement trees.
Some of these trees are at risk during the drought, a condition exacerbated by hot weather. Today I'm writing about a glaring example of this just south of the Shoreline North station at the corner of NE 185th St, and 5th Ave NE.
In 2024, Sound Transit's landscape contractor installed hundreds of trees and shrubs on the public rights of way and along 5th Ave NE.
Among these trees are 14 large elms that were planted as street trees.
The landscape architect that chose these trees failed to provide any means of watering them.
Big mistake! From what I have seen, the trees received no irrigation except rainfall for the balance of 2024, all of 2025, and none thus far in 2026.
The dry grass had grown to knee high and the corner had become both an eyesore and a fire hazard, highlighted by rapidly defoliating trees.
Just yesterday I learned from Sound Transit that the prior landscaper's contract expired in April, and no one took his place.
A new landscape contractor is now on the scene and the trees are finally being watered. I raised a ruckus with Shoreline and Sound Transit, and the trees are now getting much-needed attention.
The 14 Elm trees, that cost nearly$50 Kto install, represent an example of how we sometimes take our urban forest home for granted until it is too late.
Plant trees! Water trees! And raise your voice until you are heard!
John Hushagen
Shoreline Resident, Retired Arborist
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8 comments:
"The 14 Elm trees, that cost nearly$50 Kto install, represent an example of how we sometimes take our urban forest home for granted until it is too late."
Not just that. It also represents how government projects waste money. Sure, they'll spend big money to plant the trees because that's a visible benefit to our eco-minded citizenry. But then they won't pay to maintain these trees during their vulnerable first few years. If you hadn't noticed the issue, they'd have withered away.
The left hand doesn't talk to the right. We need better representatives in government who have an eye on the big picture, particularly at the local, county, and state levels because of single-party control. They feel invincible, and they will be until they start losing their seats.
Thanks, John. Same thing happened around one of our high schools after a remodel. Plants went in, were neglected, and died. Good for you for speaking up.
Thank you, John, for noticing the problem, raising your voice, and continuing to press Sound Transit and the City of Shoreline until action was taken. Your persistence—and your expertise as an arborist—may have saved 14 mature elm trees and prevented nearly $50,000 of public investment from being wasted.
Most homeowners understand that every improvement comes with an ongoing responsibility for maintenance. I hope Sound Transit and the City take that lesson to heart. It is not enough to install shiny new things and celebrate their completion; they must also plan, fund, and follow through on the maintenance needed to protect those investments for years to come. Be responsible stewards of public property.
Thank you, John for your inspirational story! You are an Urban Hero!
Thank you John!
Bravo, John! Thanks to your perseverance and rally cry to save these trees, the elms hopefully will survive. Thanks to the public officials who responded to his pleas and rectified the neglect and learned that proper maintenance for living things must be part of vegetation and tree management plan. Everyone should keep an eye on the well being of our trees which are doing 24/7 work for us.
Well done, John! There is a profound disconnect between the revealed motivation of the city to complete a project on the one hand, and the blithe disregard for the purpose of what that project was in the first place on the other hand (in this case, to create an area with all the benefits that urban trees bring). Thank you for being the advocate that municipal governments sadly need.
thanks for knowing and pursuing. are the little fenced areas packed with too many trees also part of the replacement total? if so, that's plain ol' cheating.
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