Notices posted to trees along N 36th Street, Evanston Avenue N, and Dayton Avenue N are alerting neighbors to proposed tree removal at 508 N 36th St., the former Harvey Family Funeral Home site.
Five trees are slated for removal under SDOT permit SDOTTRLA0001077: three red maples on N 36th Street, each measuring 28 inches in diameter, and two incense cedars on Evanston Avenue N at 15 inches. At 28 inches, the red maples qualify as Tier 2 trees under Seattle’s tree protection code, meaning they can only be removed for construction or safety reasons and must be replaced or the developer must pay a mitigation fee.
A sixth tree, an ash on Dayton Avenue N, was originally designated for protection but will also be removed under a separate permit now being applied for. SDOT Deputy Press Secretary Mariam Ali said the change came after an arborist assessed the tree during construction. “Its shallow roots would be too damaged by nearby utility and sidewalk work for the tree to survive,” Ali said. A second ash tree on Dayton Avenue N will still be protected.
The 14-day posting period for the five-tree permit ended June 2, but Ali said a separate 10-day public comment period has not yet started because the contractor has not yet requested permit issuance. Once the permit is officially issued, neighbors will have 10 days to submit comments to DOT_LA@seattle.gov, referencing permit SDOTTRLA0001077.
The site is the former Harvey Family Funeral Home property, where Prometheus Real Estate Group is building a seven-story, 196-unit apartment building with ground-floor retail. The funeral home buildings were demolished earlier this spring.
According to the SDOT permit, replacement trees are planned for the site, including Persian ironwood, katsura, American yellowwood, vine maple and one Vanderwolf’s Pyramid pine. Fremont Neighbor will provide updates as the replacement plan is finalized.
24 responses to “Street trees slated for removal at former funeral home site”
This tree removal is emblematic of the City’s awful tree ordinance. Instead of requiring development to accommodate existing mature tree canopy growing on public land, we are forced to start over with saplings to accommodate the new building on adjacent private land. Another example: the row of mature trees on Fremont north of 44th across from Markettime. I requested documents about that one from SDOT; I’ll have them soon. If you want me to send what I get about that project, email me with “NorthFremontAveTrees” in subject.
This problem is not about trying to “stop growth” or prevent the construction of new housing. Too many Seattle-ites thinks our city is “progressive,” but it is not when it comes to land use planning and conserving our quality of life.
And I’ll bet neither of these new buildings are not going to provide a single “affordable” unit on site. [Takes hours to dig through documents to figure that out.]
Dearest Toby, your friend and neighbor, Caroline. The comment period is one thing and I do believe if many people (like hundreds) came up with a letter and signed, that would be much more effective than the one letter i’d write. Additionally, what if 20+ people showed up at the trees and hugged them and didn’t let go for many hours, in shifts, drawing visible attention to the tree issue? I support density and (affordable) housing but i did not support tearing down the Funeral Home. That was a unique site, that with creativity could’ve been something AND historic preservation. Now that it’s gone, how can we bring attention to the trees? Happy to meet at the Light House to discuss. 🙂
Hi Toby. I would love the additional information that SDOT provides you with with regards to the trees across from Market Time. It is absolutely unacceptable that these beautiful, mature and not to mention PROTECTED, Tier 2 Red Maples will be removed and be replaced with mostly non-native species. Of the proposed replacement trees, only one is native (vine maple) and that is actually a small tree or shrub. Every other tree they are proposing as a replacement is non-native and can’t even begin to be compared to the quality canopy cover that these native, mature trees provide.
From the permit details:
Action:RemovalCount:3
Species:acer rubrum
Tree Size (inches, DSH or CAL):28
Reason:Construction conflict
Description of Work:DEV topped / pruning conflicts with development and SIP 28″ caliper
Note: DSH = diameter at standard height (usually measured at 4’5″), 28″ in this case. It can take a red maple at least 75 years to reach that DSH.
Please, please stop “removing” (killing) mature trees that aren’t sick. They have spent so many years slowly establishing their roots and canopies, and providing valuable homes for wildlife. They mean something to us, and they are part of our community. Replacement trees will take soooo long to provide the benefits to our environment these trees already do. Have a heart and a plan to leave them in place.
This sucks,, so sad. Urgh!
Please keep us alerted about the next opportunity to submit comments. In the meantime, we can all call Prometheus Real Estate Group. I agree with Caroline that more people getting involved, writing letters, is key — or taking other action. It’s also worth contacting our City Council representatives.
I am absolutely sick to my stomach over the possibilty of losing these trees. Those massive 28-inch Red Maples are part of the heartbeat of the Center of the Universe. Public property records show the building that housed the old Harvey Funeral Home was built in 1902. Since the arborist report confirms the diameters of the red maples to be 25-28″ in diameter, that means these majestic giants are well over 100 years old, ikely planted at the same time. They have stood watch over this block for over a century, shading our neighborhood since Woodrow Wilson was president.
The idea of clear-cutting these living monuments just so a developer can have a cheaper construction footprint is incredibly disgusting. And their site plan proposal to replace them? Think about how long it will take for a sapling to grow large enough to replace the canopy, carbon capture, and neighborhood character we currently have. The sad truth is that we will not see it happen in our lifetime. And that’s assuming the saplings will even make it to full maturity!
If you are reading this and feeling just as outraged, please know we are NOT too late to fight this. The 14-day window on the current physical notices might be over, but according to SDOT, the formal 10-day public objection window hasn’t even started yet. So we still have time to fight for this!
The permit number is #SDOTTRLA0001077.
I have not had a chance to pour through every document associated with this project but when I looked at the arborist report, I could find no actual data to support anything being wrong with the red maples to support their removal.
Let’s organize this and add to the discussion:
Letter Writing:
The second the formal window opens, we need to flood the inbox at DOT_LA@seattle.gov with objections citing Permit #SDOTTRLA0001077.
Educational Flyers:
Who is down to help print and post quick flyers with basic info, permit number and email address and/or QR code.
Direct Action / Sit-In:
If SDOT grants this permit anyway, we need a rapid-response network ready to physically stand around these root zones and hold the line if the chainsaws show up.
If you want to coordinate on flyers, drafting an ironclad letter template, or planning a physical presence to protect these historic trees, please reply to this comment. Let’s force SDOT to make this developer engineer around Fremont’s history, not destroy it.
Do you know if the objection window has opened and what the status is?
I’m in! I’ve been in touch with Tree Action Seattle and they think it might be worth a shot to organize. I am about to post their email response to me.
My wife and I submitted a comment to DOT_LA@seattle.gov anyways. We were out of town and missed the initial comment window. We agree with all the sentiments in these comments it would be a natural tragedy to loose these trees and the canopy. The same goes for the ash tree up the street on Dayton.
My father used to work at the sierra club and there are a lot of options available to try to stop this. If we can get an environmental non profit to sue it usually stops these developers in their tracks.
Our initial email asked for arborist reports and environmental impact reports. I’ll reply to this comment with an update if we hear anything, unlikely.
I know the developer working on the Rudy’s building was at the last Fremont neighborhood council meeting. I think getting that group involved is a great next step as well. I’ll look into contacting them this week.
Would love to be kept in the loop if you do ever do receive the arborist reports and Environmental Impact statements. Thanks for caring! Do you know if there are any upcoming Fremont neighborhood council meetings? I was thinking that the upcoming Solstice Parade passes right in front of these trees and maybe the timing is right to bring visibility to them during such a high-traffic event. Happy to meet, help organize folks. etc.
There’s one on June 24th! https://www.fremontneighborhoodcouncil.org/
No word from the city they haven’t responded to our inquiry yet
Can we still contact SDOT? I see we can, but unsure if the objection window has happened. I know that the permit timing like this was not correct near my home (SDOT shortchanged the window).
I think there might be a great opportunity to bring a lot of visibility to these trees during the Solstice Parade next Saturday (06/20). The parade route passes right in front of these beautiful trees. Maybe they can be adorned and signs calling attention to the issue can be put up during this very high-traffic time. Perhaps QR codes so folks can sign petitions? I’m willing to help get folks organized if there is still time for us to express opposition. Open to suggestions! We can save these trees if enough of us raise a stink. I have reached out to Tree Action Seattle for any guidance they can provide.
Great idea! Please share what TAS says.
If we comment or protest the removal of these trees, does it even matter? The city will cater to the lesser future, regardless. We can provide all the facts we want, all the great benefits around keeping the trees… Developers and the city don’t care. The only green they care about are dollar signs.
It does matter. It’s truly worth a shot, in my opinion. Tree Action Seattle will be visiting the trees at 1:15 PM today (6/13/26). They mentioned an SDOT arborist was there yesterday. I don’t think this fight is over. In the end, even if the trees end up being removed, I will feel better knowing that I fought for them instead of feeling defeated and doing nothing.
Tree Action Seattle has just responded. If we get enough folks that care and are committed to this cause, there may be a chance to save them. Let’s organize and give this a shot! I’m all in. If anyone is interested in joining and planning a more organized effort, please email me so we can get something going. chinchilla.sharon@gmail.com
This is the response email from TAS:
Hi Sharon,
Thank you for caring about these trees and for reaching out. SDOT appears to have caved to developer pressure and completely given up on protecting trees during construction.
Do you think if we had a campaign for these trees that the community would support? It would be sending a lot of emails and likely holding a gathering there, letting the community know ahead of time with flyers, social media and word of mouth.
I have many other examples of street trees being removed for construction projects. Often if SDOT asks that they remain and be protected, the developer damages them “accidentally” and guess what the consequence is? They have to remove the tree and replant—exactly what they wanted in the first place! There is no fine or cost to them of any kind!
We did potentially save these street trees because of massive public pressure, though the final outcome has not been determined: Ballard’s Twin Oaks
Since these trees by the funeral home are public we might have leverage and it could be worth a try.
Thank you Theo for the connection, and adding David Moehring who has been following this too, as well as others in our group.
Warmly,
Sandy
I just posted their response but dont see it up yet. It looks like it might be worth a shot!
Unclear about the SDOT timelines, but sent them an email with that permit number. I wonder if it’s harder to reverse after public comments deadline. I think the Solstice Parade would be a HUGE opportunity like said on earlier comments! Ribbons around trees with “HELP!” anda QR code for a petition like earlier comment suggested. Esp if comments are still permitted.
Here is the link to the campaign that was just started by Tree Action Seattle.
https://treeactionseattle.org/campaigns/the-fremont-solstice-trees
This is a link to an easy pre-written letter to send to SDOT:
https://tinyurl.com/solstice-trees
And hopefully this will link to the flyer:
file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/1e/14/40A5575F-ECF9-408B-8EC6-81FBAFF330C3/IMG_7844.jpg
Tree Action has provided me with flyers as well so I will start posting tomorrow in different parts of Fremont. If anyone would like some, please let me know so we can cover more ground. I’m doing this solo for now so would love a couple of folks to help. ♥️
The linked permit expired at the end of 2025.
Record SDOTTRLA0001077
Street Trees – Approval for Development Projects (Conceptual Approval)
Record Status: In Process
Expiration Date: 12/31/2025 <—-
We should find out the new permit number and reference that moving forward.
SDOTTRLA0001077 is the permit number referenced on the sign on the trees. Am I reading wrong that it expired 6 months ago?
Here is the permit to remove the one tree on Dayton that was spared in the previous permit.
https://services.seattle.gov/Portal/Cap/CapDetail.aspx?Module=SDOTSUPermits&TabName=SDOTSUPermits&capID1=26CAP&capID2=00000&capID3=025AT&agencyCode=SEATTLE&IsToShowInspection=