Selecting Trees

Tree species and landscaping plants tend to thrive in their native climates. The northwest tends to experience fluctuations in rainfall—with heavy winter rains and periods of drought during the summer. Selecting the right species of tree and properly caring for that tree can improve longevity and increase the benefits to the owner and the community. In addition, some trees can damage utilities, consume significant resources, harbor diseases, and produce undesirable side effects.

Approved Tree List

The following is a general list of the best tree species that should be considered Tumwater’s Street Tree List. All commercial, industrial, and residential projects should utilize this list. Selections should be aesthetically compatible with existing trees planted on adjacent portions of the street. 

Large:

• Northern Red Oak
• Tulip
• Autumn Purple Ash 
• Sugar Maple
• Scarlet Oak

Medium – Narrow Crowns:

• Columnar Tulip
• Armstrong Red Maple
• Bowhall Red Maple
• Parkway Maple
• Skyrocket Oak

Medium – Wide Crowns 40’ – 50’ Tall:

• Littleleaf Linden
• Summit Ash
• Patmore Ash
• Norway Maple
• Red Sunset Maple
• Honey Locust

Small Trees, <35’ tall:

• Norwegian Sunset Maple
• Pacific Sunset Maple
• Crimson Sentry Maple
• Snow Goose Cherry
• Spire Cherry
• Flowering Crabapple
• Japanese Snowbell 
• Rocky Mt. Maple
• Galaxy Magnolia
• Rustica Rubra Saucer Magnolia
• Golden Desert Ash
• Chinese Kousa Dogwood 
• Pink Flowering Dogwood
• Flowering Plum
• Sargent Cherry
• Amur Maple
• Black Tupelo
• Redmond Linden
• Pyramidal European Hornbeam
• Hedge Maple

City Tree Protection Professional

In the community's interest of providing professional assistance in Tumwater’s tree protection efforts and achieving consistency in tree protection decisions, the City contracts with a professional to provide these services.

Contracted Forester Kevin McFarland of Sound Urban Forestry serves as the City of Tumwater's tree protection professional. He is responsible for providing information and services required to assure compliance with the City's tree protection regulations. These services are requested on an as needed basis by Community Development staff.

Billing for Services

If the City requires a review of tree related matters related with a development application, applicants will be responsible for payment of the cost of services. Please contact Sound Urban Forestry for their current billing rate via email or phone 360-870-2511.

Prohibited Trees

• Trees with roots that can obstruct or injure sewers or underground utilities, such as willow, cottonwood, or poplar, are not permitted without the approval of the Director of Public Works. 
• No trees or shrubs that hinder the public right-of-way can be planted either. Certain trees are never allowed to be planted in the public right-of-ways, see below.

Tree species not allowed in public rights-of-way

• Fruit trees (except for ornamental types)
• Nut trees
• Ailanthus
• Mountain Ash
• Oregon or big leaf maple
• American elm or
• Any other tree whose roots may cause injury to sidewalks or pavements.

City of Tumwater Tree Account

The City of Tumwater has a “Tree Account” for the purposes of acquiring, maintaining and preserving wooded areas, and for planting and maintaining trees in public spaces.

Funding

The Tree Account is a separate interest-bearing account. All fines collected for tree and vegetation violations are deposited into the Tree Account. All donations and mitigation fees collected related to the preservation of trees or the enhancement of wooded buffer areas are deposited into this account.

Planting Trees

Tree Account funds are used to plant trees and may be used only on City-owned property, or on property upon which the City has been granted an easement for the purpose of establishing or maintaining trees or other vegetation. The City Council is responsible for appropriating these funds.

Topping Trees

Please do not top trees. It’s never a good idea to top trees, moreover, it is prohibited under the City’s Tree and Vegetation Protection Ordinance. Not only does it damage the tree, it makes it more susceptible to disease and death and it usually turns the once-majestic tree into an eyesore. Plus, topped trees require a lot more work. 

Tumwater is a Tree City USA

The City of Tumwater is honored to have been a Tree City USA for more than 25 years. 

"Residents of Tumwater ought to be proud to live in a community that makes the planting and care of trees a priority." John Rosenow, Arbor Day Foundation.

Tree Removal Permit Required

Because trees can have such a significant impact on the community, a land clearing permit or tree permit waiver is required under TMC 16.08 for removal of a tree within the City. 
Most property owners are allowed to remove up to six trees in a three year period on a single land parcel. Property owners that meet this criteria must apply for a Tree Permit Waiver (below).

Tree Permit Waiver

For land owners wishing to remove less than six trees in a three year period.

• Complete the Tree Removal Waiver Application Form
• Include the number and location of trees to be removed.
• The department may request additional documentation per TMC 16.08.
• There is no fee for processing a waiver.

Note:  This is an over-the-counter permit process, with no fee.

Hazardous Trees

If a land owner believes that a tree on their property is a danger to life or property, they can request an exemption from obtaining a tree removal permit. Approval of this exemption it subject to two conditions.

1. The hazardous condition is verified by the City's Tree Protection Professional, with the land owner responsible for paying the City Tree Protection Professional's fee (currently $80.00 per hour).
2. The land owner shall plant at least one replacement tree. The replacement tree is required to meet minimum standards of the tree and vegetation protection ordinance. The minimum standard for replacement trees is 2-inches in diameter measured 6-inches above the root collar.

If you have any questions, please contact Community Development staff at (360) 754-4180.

To Apply for a Tree Permit

A Land Clearing Permit is required to remove more than six trees on any single parcel of land in Tumwater within a three year period.

• Complete the forms:
  • Land Clearing Permit Application and
  • Land Clearing Permit Submittal Checklist 
• Pay appropriate permit fee(s).

For projects that are subject to the City's Development Review process, the land clearing permit process is completed as part of the Site Development/Grading Permit review.

Tumwater Urban and Community Forestry Online Open House

To achieve the objectives of the Urban Forestry Management Plan, the City identified review and revision of the City’s tree preservation code (TMC 16.08 Protection of Trees and Vegetation), Street Tree Plan, and landscaping code (TMC 18.47 Landscaping) as high priority actions. The City recognizes that the community’s urban forest is managed by and benefits a diverse group of stakeholders that are in a range of urban and natural settings, including private properties, developed parks, rights-of-way, conservation areas, and other public lands.

To ensure that the implementation of the Urban Forestry Management Plan municipal code updates are grounded in equity, inclusion, and environmental justice, the City is embarking on a public engagement process that utilizes a diverse suite of tools aimed at minimizing barriers to participation, provides multiple opportunities and mechanisms to share ideas and perspectives, and engages a wide cross section of Tumwater residents and community stakeholders.

For more information, please go to Tumwater Urban and Community Forestry Online Open House.