Flame Ash street trees along 35th Ave NE.
Developer Albert Balch built the original group of Wedgwood houses in the period 1941-1945 and won awards for the preservation of tall Douglas fir trees on gently winding streets. The name Wedgwood spread to become the name of the whole neighborhood, and it seems that love of trees took root to become part of the Wedgwood legacy. Wedgwoodians are tree-conscious and they continue to nurture existing trees as well as planting new ones. Even Wedgwood’s Flame Ash street trees along 35th Ave NE are of renown, earning mention in the book Trees of Seattle.
The City of Seattle encourages the planting of more trees to build the tree canopy in residential neighborhoods. On July 31 applications will open in the Trees for Neighborhoods program which will give up to four free trees per household. Trees can be planted in your yard, or if you want to plant trees on a parking strip, Trees for Neighborhoods will help with the application to do so, since placement of trees on parking strips must be approved by SDOT.
The Trees for Neighborhoods program has some requirements, such as attendance at a planting workshop. Trees must be picked up in October or November and you must transport them yourself. Neighbors are encouraged to coordinate their efforts to help with transportation and planting – have an autumn planting party on your street!