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Tumwater tree board reports Arbor Day turnout, announces canopy‑equity planting and inventory work
Summary
Board members reported a busy Arbor Day with dozens of volunteers, described a funded canopy‑equity program targeting a low‑canopy neighborhood (Furland Estates), and said a contracted arborist will perform deferred work on the Davis Maker Gary Oak this rainy season.
Tumwater — At its May 11 meeting the Tumwater Tree Board recapped a successful Arbor Day and reviewed multiple ongoing programs aimed at expanding and protecting the city’s urban canopy.
Brian, the city’s urban forester, told the board that Arbor Day drew large crowds and that the city plans to scale up next year with more and larger species and improved logistics. "There was a line of people — probably like 40 people waiting," Brian said, describing high public interest in free seedlings and volunteer activities.
The board also heard details of a funded tree‑canopy equity program focused on a low‑canopy, high‑temperature neighborhood called Furland Estates. The program will offer in‑person workshops where participating households can choose one of four species for planting (Alaskan cedar, blue spruce, ginkgo, London plane), receive planting demonstrations, watering bags and mulch, and sign up for city assistance where needed. The urban‑forester said grant funds pay for part of his time and program materials; a street‑tree trimming grant for income‑constrained residents is planned for 2027.
Davis Maker Gary Oak and inventory work: Staff confirmed a contract with an arborist to perform year‑one treatments (vertical mulching, grading) on the Davis Maker Gary Oak but postponed the work because of unseasonably warm, dry weather; the work is rescheduled for the rainy season, with a target of November. The board was also briefed on an Evergreen intern (Nemo) who is updating the city’s street‑tree GIS inventory, a multiple‑year effort to populate species, condition and planting‑bed details.
Why it matters: The canopy‑equity program targets neighborhoods with low tree cover and higher ambient temperatures, a public‑health and equity concern for urban forestry programs. The inventory will help the city match species choices to existing conditions and better target future plantings and maintenance.
What’s next: Staff will continue outreach to Furland Estates households and return with planting logistics; board members discussed seeking additional budget support for larger planting events and program scaling next year.
