Both sons of my neighbor came over to apologize for the actions of their friend, “Mr. Chainsaw”. They assured me that they had not given him permission to cut the wood on my property, and they were angry that he had lied and reflected poorly on them.

One son called Mr. Chainsaw over to my house. He stood at my front door and apologized. He also agreed to come do storm damage cleanup and hauling for a couple of days, under my supervision and with one of the neighbors, to make amends and as compensation for the loss in value of the cypress he had cut up. In addition, he returned the two huge rounds of wood that he had cut off the 6 foot log.

Here’s her original Letter, first posted on Jan. 22:

The fee quoted by the arborist to remove the tree was enough to make anyone’s jaw drop onto the snowy ground. But it was mid-afternoon and getting dark. I had a tree on my roof and needed to get it off. And I was still on stun.

“Fine. Get the tree off the roof.” And that’s all he did for the price, taking full advantage of a bad situation. Removal and cleanup would have been an added fee. The urgency of my situation formed dollar signs in the eyes of the arborist.

The second tree, at the road, was brought down at no charge by Seattle City Light because of the danger it posed to the neighborhood’s lines. The crew was courteous and generous, welcome attitudes after the arborist’s pushy greed the day before. The 100 ft. trunk was cut into manageable pieces and dropped into a pile on the side of my property. The base of the trunk was left at a 6 ft. length, and lay in my lower parking area. I figured that all of this could be dealt with in a day or two, after the snow and ice melted.

The next afternoon, I was talking to a local artist that offered to buy that 6 ft. length of cypress for a commercial project she was working on. We measured it, and brainstormed about potential ways to integrate the wood into her project. She’d come by in a day or two, with a truck and some help, to pick up the heavy piece of wood.

An hour later, now dark, I heard a chainsaw droning on and on. I thought, “who in the world is using a chainsaw this late?” Then I realized the sound seemed to be coming from where the cypress log lay.

I flew out the door and to the road and won’t repeat the expletives that came out of my mouth. The cypress trunk was now only 4 feet long. Mr. Chainsaw was standing on my property, under the street lamp, making firewood out of my wood that had been destined for an art piece. Technically, doesn’t this amount to trespassing and attempted theft?

Mr. Chainsaw said that my neighbors across the street had told him he could cut and take it. Really? Couldn’t he (shouldn’t he) have come knocking on my door to ask politely, “Excuse me, but will you be using the wood from your tree that came down? May I cut it and take it?”

And, what were my neighbors thinking in granting permission that they had no right to grant?

We have all heard reports of post-disaster looting and artificially-high rates for repair and cleanup. It seems to me that after we’ve all endured snow, ice, power outages, downed trees, property damage, loss of work, etc., we should more readily offer generosity, respect… and lawfulness. An urgent situation does not grant license to forego courtesy and propriety! We will not be united through greed and opportunism.

My experience due to the downing of my trees gave me a glimpse into a “darkside” viewpoint. Fortunately, that glimpse was contrasted by the many offers of help, and by a plate of fresh-baked cookies brought over by my elder neighbors, an enduring sweet spot in the middle of a sour-tasting time.

– Maureen Hoffmann

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Seattle City Light experienced multiple outages throughout its service territory, starting about 11:15 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 25, when a cold front moved through the area causing wind gusts of 50 mph. At the peak of the windstorm approximately 18,000 customers were without power.

PREVIOUSLY: BTB Reader Carrie Baggaley Rasmussen texted us these pics, taken by her husband Justin, of a large tree down across SW 152nd near the Ruth Dykeman Center, felled by a Christmas Day storm, which also caused scattered power outages in the Burien area.

As you can see in the foreground, a car was also damaged by a fallen telephone pole.

Seattle City Light says that more than 7,000 homes and businesses were affected by the storm, with some of the largest outages in the SeaTac and Burien area – here’s a map showing the outages:

“Crews are responding to identify the exact locations and causes of the outages and then will make repairs,” City Light said in a statement.

Customers can get outage information online at www.seattle.gov/light/sysstat.

If you have any photos of other storm damage, please email us and we’ll try to post them (in-between eating and visiting with family…).

Click image to see larger version.

Have a cool photo you’d like to share with our Readers?

Please email editor@b-townblog.com and we’ll do our best to post ‘em!

Have a cool photo you’d like to share with our Readers?

Please email editor@b-townblog.com and we’ll do our best to post ‘em!

Santa arrives on a red fire truck at the 2010 tree lighting ceremony. Photo by Michael Brunk.

“It’s that time of year and the Burien Tree Lighting Festival is near,” reminds Jay Smith, proprietor of BTB Advertiser Economy Wiring / YB Tubless.

Save the date: Wednesday, Dec. 7th at 6 p.m.

It’s a Wednesday and Santa will be there, showing up on a “Christmas Red” fire engine proudly accompanied by Burien/Normandy Park firefighters.

It all happens at that large, lovely and living Fir tree at the Economy Wiring / Y B Tubless store located at 633 S.W. 148th St. in Burien.

The St. Francis School Choir will grace the occasion with traditional Christmas and Holiday songs.

Treats and hot beverages will be available for everyone.

“We will also be collecting canned food for local families,” says Economy/YB Tubless Operations Manager Shawn Becker.

“Please bring any non-perishable food items you can spare. There are more families in need than any time in recent memory. Your help is much appreciated.”

Come out and enjoy the evening!

Story & Photos by Scott Schaefer

We first reported on Nov. 18th that, as part of the City of Burien’s 2010/2011 Overlay Asphalt project, 96 trees along Ambaum Blvd. SW were going to be cut down in order to allow for new, ADA-compliant sidewalks to be put in sometime next year.

“These trees (‘London Planes’) were planted 20-30 years ago before much was known about what kind of trees might work well around sidewalks and pavement,” said Jenn Ramirez Robson, city management analyst. “The roots from these trees grow close to the surface and wreak all sorts of havoc. In the case of Ambaum, the roots have not only buckled sidewalks but they have also pushed out curbs and have begun to grow up and out from the street itself.”

Robson adds:

Because the roots are causing damage in so many directions cutting the problem roots would not leave enough stability for the tree. It should also be noted that the trees are too old and established to be transferred to another location. The trees will be removed sometime before the end of the year. They will be replaced with one of the following in the spring:

• Pyrus calleryana ‘Glen’s Form’/ Chanticleer Pear
• Tilia cordata ‘Corzam’/ Corinthian Linden
• Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’/ Pyramidal European Hornbeam

Friday morning (Dec. 3rd), workers could be seen along Ambaum near SW 136th clearing cut trees and branches, with chippers munching away at the remains of these grand old plants:

As of Friday morning, Dec. 3rd, this stretch of Ambaum just south of SW 136th suddenly looked much more exposed.

Workers insert tree limbs and branches into chippers on Ambaum Blvd. SW the morning of Dec. 3rd.

This photo, taken Nov. 18th, shows a line of trees marked "X" – meaning they're all doomed to be cut down.

We here at The B-Town Blog believe that the city should have let its citizens know that these 96 trees were going to be destroyed for this project.

We don’t believe that was the case.

Our unscientific poll from some 155 Readers shows that at least 59% share our sentiment that they’re sad to see these trees cut:

How do you feel about the city removing 96 trees along Ambaum Blvd. SW?

• WTF? DON’T REMOVE these great old trees! I love ‘em! (59%, 91 Votes)
• I AGREE! This street (and sidewalks) needs a major face-lift! (34%, 53 Votes)
• I don’t care about trees or nature or beauty in Burien. (7%, 11 Votes)

For more information about road construction in Burien, or to share your opinion directly with the city, you can call (206) 436-5551.

Also, if you haven’t yet taken our poll, please vote or share your opinion below with a Comment:

You know ’tis the season when Santa Claus himself arrives in Burien, delivered to the city’s big ol’ fir tree at Advertiser Economy Wiring/YB Tubless by B-Town’s finest firefighters!

Ol’ St. Nick made it safely of course, led this time not by a reindeer with a bright red shiny nose, but driven in a bright red shiny fire truck courtesy the Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department.

Children from St. Francis School sang carols, goodies were given out, the tree was lit up, and our own Photographer Michael Brunk showed up to capture this Photo Slideshow:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Longtime owner Gwin Smith started this tradition in 1966 when he first bought Economy Wiring. In the first eight years of the tree lighting, Gwin climbed the huge fir tree himself to install the lights and then climbed back up in January to take them down. This changed some years ago, when the fire department took responsibility for installing and removing the lights.

You can see the festive bright lights on the big tree yourself every day around dusk at Economy Wiring’s location at 633 SW 148th Street (Phone: 206-244-7542).

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” story, event listing and/or Ad like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by nearly 50,000 interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

Santa will be arriving in Burien to help light up our big fir tree, along with firefighters, the St. Francis School Choir, free treats and much more at the annual Tree Lighting Festival on Wednesday, Dec. 2nd beginning at 6pm.

The ceremony will take place at the large Fir tree at BTB Advertiser’s Y-B Tubless store, located at 633 SW 148th in Burien.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 2nd beginning at 6pm

WHERE: The giant Fir tree at YB Tubless, located at 633 SW 148th

INFO: Santa will arrive with Burien firefighters on a fire engine and the St. Francis School Choir will sing Christmas songs.

Treats and hot beverages will be available for everyone.

We will also be collecting canned food for local needy families.

Come out and enjoy the evening.

Welcome our latest Advertiser – Zenith Holland Gardens, located just south of B-Town in Des Moines!

It’s Christmas tree time and Zenith Holland Gardens in Des Moines is the place to find yours.

The trees arrive tomorrow – Friday, Nov. 20th.

“Real trees have a great natural fragrance,” reminds Lyn Robinson of Zenith Holland. “Real trees smell like Christmas!”

Located just south of downtown Des Moines, Zenith Holland is open seven days a week (see map below).

They offer a terrific selection: Noble Fir, Grand Fir and Douglas Fir. Trees come in all sizes, from tabletops to twelve feet.

In addition to fresh cut trees, Zenith Holland offers wreaths, garlands & much more.

Many Christmas tree lots accept only cash from their customers. Zenith Holland also takes Visa, Mastercard and personal checks.

“And who actually delivers Christmas trees?” Lyn points out. “Well, we do!” Delivery fees are waived for tree buyers in the local Des Moines area.

While you’re there, check out the wonderful holiday wreaths, garlands and festive centerpieces Zenith Holland is offering.

Zenith Holland is open seven days a week from 10am to 9pm. They open at 9am on Saturdays.

Like a sapling in a forest, Zenith Holland is easy to miss if you don’t know it’s there.

It’s easy to find:

• Head south through downtown Des Moines on Marine View Drive.
• You’ll pass the Red Robin restaurant on your right. Stay in the right lane, curving gently up the hill, past the Taco Time on your left.
• About a quarter mile up you’ll see Zenith Holland’s entry point wooden sign on your left.

Zenith Holland Gardens is located at 23260 Marine View Drive South.

Zenith Holland Gardens
23260 Marine View Drive South
Des Moines, WA 98198

Phone: 206-878-7002

Hours:

• Open seven days a week
• Saturday 9am to 9pm
• Sunday through Friday 10am to 9pm

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” story, event listing and/or Ad like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by nearly 40,000 interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

BTB Reader Rebecca Dare brought this to our attention a few days ago – around Burien, there are numerous “orphan” trees (and plants/bushes) that may be suffering from this extreme heat and drought.

These living things might be growing near unattended buildings, near sidewalks and other places where they may not get the water they need, especially during times of high heat.

So we’re putting out the call to all Readers to “adopt” one of these poor trees and bring them water.

Here’s Rebecca’s email to us:

I noticed a Forest Pansy Redbud (one of my favorite trees) dying near the Thai restaurant (the old IHOP) and started taking bottles of water to try to save it for the last few days. The rhodys around it are already toast so I’m not bothering with them.

I’d like to add that mulch can help hold in the water — just don’t put mulch all the way up to the trunk of a tree.

At this point — this week — I think just water would be a big help! And whenever & however a person could do it. (At this point I’ve just been watering the redbud once a day — approx. 4 gallons or so.

On the day we did the big walk around with Thomas Sieverts, some of us were pretty concerned (Kitty Milne among us) about the plants by the old City Hall. I’ve been meaning to take a look at them, but not sure how best to water — maybe I’ll look into it. At the SuBu raised beds at B/IAS was have access to water.

If you see another plant or tree suffering, it’d be wonderful if you’d adopt it until things get better.

Thanks, Rebecca

UPDATE 8/3/09: Rebecca sent us these pics of herself and Bill Opfermann watering one of these trees:

We did some research, and here’s more information that might help you save one of these plants and keep Burien green:

• What a tree under “drought stress” looks like:
  • Symptoms of drought injury to trees can be sudden or may take up to two years to be revealed. Drought injury symptoms on tree leaves include wilting, curling at the edges, and yellowing.
  • Deciduous leaves may develop scorch, brown outside edges or browning between veins.
  • Evergreen needles may turn yellow, red or purple. They may also turn brown at the tips of the needles and browning may progress through the needle towards the twig.
  • In continued drought, leaves may be smaller than normal, drop prematurely or remain attached to the tree even though brown.
  • Often times, drought stress may not kill a tree outright, but set it up for more serious secondary insect and disease infestations in following years.

• Where to water your tree:

• Deep watering to a depth of 12” inches below the soil surface is recommended.
• Saturate the soil around the tree within the “dripline” (the outer edges of the tree’s branches) to disperse water down toward the roots.
• For evergreens, water 3’-5’ beyond the dripline on all sides of the tree.
• The objective is to water slowly, dispersing the flow of water to get the water deep down to the trees roots. Wateringfor short periods of time only encourages shallow rooting which can lead to more drought damage.
• Don’t dig holes in the ground in an effort to water deeply. This dries out roots even more. A soil needle/deep root feeder attached to a hose is acceptable to insert into the ground if your soil is not too hard and compact.
• Overhead spraying of tree leaves is inefficient and should be avoided during drought conditions. Watering at ground level to avoid throwing water in the air is more efficient.

• Tree Watering: Amount of water needed and methods to use:

• During the drought, trees must be given top watering priority over your lawn. However, caring for trees requires different watering methods than your lawn.
• During water restrictions, irrigation systems designed to water turf do not sufficiently water your trees. During the drought, trees should be given a higher priority than lawns. Lawns can be replaced in a matter of months whereas a 20 year old tree will take 20 years to replace.
• How much water your tree should receive depends upon the tree size. A general rule of thumb is to use approximately 10 gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter for each watering. Measure trunk diameter at knee height. General formula: Tree Diameter x 5 minutes = Total Watering Time.
• Example: When you hand water using a hose at medium pressure, it will take approximately 5 minutes to produce 10 gallons of water. If you have a 4” diameter tree, it should receive 40 gallons of water – multiply by 5 minutes to equal total watering time of 20 minutes.
• All size trees should be watered April through September according to the guidelines below. All trees should also receive adequate water during the winter months too –For more information on winter watering, see below.
• Water should be distributed evenly under the dripline of the tree.
• The best watering method depends upon whether you have a small (1-7” diameter), medium (8-15” diameter) or large sized (16”+ diameter) tree.
• Small Trees (1-7” diameter) –3 times per month, April through September.
• Newly planted and smaller trees can get adequate water within the existing watering restrictions by hand watering with a soft spray hose attachment as a separate zone on your designated day.

So, if you decide to help out one of Burien’s (and your planet’s) fellow living things, please take some pics and email them to us along with info on where the tree/planet was located!