Re: “How does your WA neighborhood rank for ‘tree equity’? Check this map” (Aug. 20, Climate Lab):
As a dedicated tree planter, I am happy to read about another tool available to encourage tree planting. We live with more than 40 trees on our small urban lot, including three large street trees. It’s a lot to care for and keeps us busy. Fall is an especially demanding season and we appreciate the cut-rate clean green pick up Seattle Public Utilities offers in November to help clear leaves from our yards and adjacent streets.
While it is great to encourage tree planting, it’s also important to educate everyone about the importance of cleaning up streets and storm drains. Come fall, storm drains in our neighborhood are often clogged and overflowing. Leaves are sometimes blown from one home’s gutter to another or to the other side of the street instead of simply picked up. I once cleared drains around the neighborhood but now am dedicated to keeping the one on my corner free-flowing.
We need a Fall Leaf Festival to celebrate the beauty of the season and the wonderful trees that do so much for us. It’s the completion of the circle that planting begins and maybe the chance to get behind a rake and love the leaves.
Barbara Downward, Seattle
