Trees

Trees.  We love them or we hate them.  Most of us Love them!  Those that hate them probably have allergies.

There is a lot of controversy over trees.  The fact is that trees are a huge part of our earth's bio-filtering system.  They, along with all green plants, convert carbon dioxide to oxygen, but trees also filter water and atomize it for release to the atmosphere.  A large, very old Bigleaf Maple can put over 200 gallons worth of water molecules (H2O) an hour into the air through a process known as transpiration.  Studies have revealed that about 10 percent of the moisture found in the atmosphere is released by plants through transpiration.  Pure water, no pollution.

So, you can see that damaging or cutting down trees reduces the earths ability to filter and recycle potable water.  Here is a quote from the web site Water Woes; The Impending H2O Crisis:
"Of all the water on earth, nearly 98 percent is ocean saltwater. The other two percent?
     1.6 percent locked up in glaciers and polar ice caps
   0.36 percent located underground in aquifers and wells
   0.036 percent found in lakes and rivers
So, only a very limited amount of the planet’s water supply is consumable and reachable." 

Trees are extremely important to life on planet Earth.  It does matter if we cut even one (1) tree down!  Learning about how to care for trees should be a priority.  Snohomish County Public Utility has a very good tree guide to planting trees in appropriate places.

There is also tree law to consider.  There is a WAC concerning the removal of trees.  Many Cities and municipalities have formed their own stiffer trees codes to help protect the urban tree canopy.  Seattle tree law blazes the trail in this area with many new tree laws going into effect this year.

Here are some currently existing Washington State Tree Laws:  WAC 352-28-010.  Cutting, collection and removal of natural resources. "The cutting or removal of any significant trees in a natural area, natural forest area or natural area preserve shall, except in the case of emergency trees, be approved only by the director or designee and only after consultation with the Washington department of fish and wildlife"
RCW 64.12.030 Injury to or removing trees, etc. — Damages.
Whenever any person shall cut down, girdle, or otherwise injure, or carry off any tree...any judgment for the plaintiff shall be for treble the amount of damages claimed or assessed."

You see that cutting a tree on someone else’s property is a serious issue.  In Washington state the awards can lead to treble (3x) damages for replacement value of the tree or the value of the wood, whichever is greater.  The replacement value of the tree uses a formula that accounts for the Species of tree, the age, and the trunk circumference to calculate the estimated dollar value of the tree.  Judgments can be in the millions and for individual land owners.

Be aware that cities and municipalities use this same formula to fine land owners if they violate local tree ordinances.  It is a good idea to check first before you remove any trees from your property.