Pruning may kill Heritage Tree in Fremont

A week after a weeping poplar tree in Fremont was named one of Seattle's Heritage Trees, several of its branches were cut off, and the Seattle city arborist says it may not survive.

The tree, in an alley behind Evanston Avenue North, for years has been the subject of dispute between two neighbors who own the tree, Patricia Halsell and Dan Cawdrey.

Halsell nominated the tree for Heritage status, meaning it's one of the best of its kind in the city, and that designation was awarded Aug. 1. But it didn't protect the tree.

Last Saturday, Cawdrey hired tree trimmers to severely prune the tree because he said it was a liability. He feared limbs could fall and hit people and cars.

Halsell said many Fremont residents are in mourning over the tree, which stood 70 feet tall and may be 80 years old. Nolan Rundquist, the city's arborist, said the tree likely won't survive the pruning.

But Cawdrey said he was unaware of the Heritage Tree designation, and, as part owner of the tree, if he had known he wouldn't have agreed to the designation. He said he offered to plant two new trees in its place.

That's little consolation to Halsell, who said, "It's not my tree, it's the neighborhood's tree, and it's just so senseless."

Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com