The plan to remove 40 large trees from the cemetery at Fort Lawton in Discovery Park has been halted for now, thanks to a tip from a Magnolia Voice reader.
Magnolia Voice reader Bruce was in the cemetery watching Blue Herons gathering materials for their nests recently.
A contractor who was in the area told him that the maple trees in the cemetery would be cut down because they were compromising the integrity of some of the tombstones, causing them to lean or fall over. The plan was to remove the trees sometime after July 4 without any public comment. Bruce was concerned about the loss of the trees and the impact on the Herons and wrote to us.
After telephone inquiries made by Magnolia Voice to JBLM, base spokesman Joe Kubistec issued the following statement:
"This is a planned Joint Base Lewis-McChord project to remove 40 trees that are currently damaging historic property (i.e. actual resting sites, historic structures, monuments, and roadways).
We are obliged to protect the grave sites of service members, the same way family and friends would want their loved ones final resting place preserved. The public expects this of us.
The project was designed to remove the minimum number of trees necessary to preserve the historic site. However, in light of public interest in the project that the Magnolia Voice brought to our attention Joint Base Lewis-McChord will suspend further action until the project is re-evaluated and a way forward is determined."
When asked if a public process would be initiated before the trees are ordered cut again, Kubistec said, ?It?s possible. It would be up to the commander.?
The Ft. Lawton cemetery is federal property maintained by Joint Base Lewis McChord and is not a part of Discovery Park, according to Seattle Parks spokesperson, Dewey Potter.
We will keep you posted on plans for the trees.
Thanks to Contributor Steven Smalley for this story and photographs
If you read between the lines, the 40 trees will be cut, just not today. Watch out for some rainy day in January when no one’s around. Listen for the sound of chain saws. The feds will do what they please. Go view the trees now because they are history.?
I bet the dead people would be offended to have the trees cut.? Trees provide shade, comfort and dignity.? The tombstones can be put back upright but once those gorgeous old trees are gone, they are gone.? Please don’t cut them down.? My grandparents are at a big cemetary out on Aurora and I would be horrified if the trees were removed to preserve the tombstones.? So would my grandfather who loved the woods.
The trees are as integral a part of the cemetery as are the trees at Arlington National Cemetery. Those brave fallen who rest in both places are provided a true sanctuary that is only enhanced by the beauty and serenity provided by those trees. Utility over elegance? No thank you.
Brooke Albertson, Magnolia
The cemetery is within the jurisdiction of the City of Seattle. ?Any proposal to remove trees may be subject to Seattle Municipal Code. ?I wonder if JBLM has submitted an application to the City for review?
Trees also sequester CO2.? Too bad when it comes to curbing greenhouse emissions the feds’ motto is “words not deeds.”
So we kill living things because they are infringing on “the memory” of one who is no longer living. This makes no sense at all!!!!?
Forty trees is a huge number.? There has to be a way to stabilize the markers.? If it’s a concern about the roots disturbing the grave itself (!), well, maybe the caskets should be exhumed and moved,? if JBLM is so worried about it.
My dad was a veteran.? He wouldn’t want the trees cut.
Many kudos to Bruce and to the Magnolia Voice — the destruction that was about to happen without public comment is horrifying.? Please kindly keep us apprised of this situation.? Thank you again.
It’s not the valuing of the trees that is so offensive. It’s the entitled “we saved the trees from the evil tree-cutters” attitude that implies that you’re right and that anyone who might disagree with you, like, say, someone who values the integrity of the historical gravesites, is automatically wrong. It’s also the?expectation that you should have a say in every decision the government makes,?which is?a large load of nonsense. What’s next, a community vote on the paint color for a maintenance building? Maybe a public?referendum on UW’s course catalogue?
“It’s also the?expectation that you should have a say in every decision the government makes,?which is?a large load of nonsense. ”
—Than Shwe
I wanted to see the tree huggers chain themselves to the maples just for the sheer entertainment value. What’s really going to happen is the g’mint will sneak in one day while everyone is at work and down they’ll come, all 40. It seems they have the law on their side. So much for the vaunted Seattle Process. See you in ten years and we’ll put up this stop sign.?
I think the should simply reposition the tombstones so they are upright again.? This seems to be the most cost effective approach.? This cemetary would be stark without the trees.?
They are removing trees that are no where near the stones.? 100 year old trees.? It is just a shame.? When my Mom died she said she wanted to be buried next to a tree.? Must be a way to save the stones without removing the trees.? Very few of the 800 stones are compromised.
They could however, fix the road.
It takes along time to grow a tree; to cut down 40 trees is criminal!? Why not stabalize the headstones.? I’m sure a way could be found.? Trees are being cut down at an alarming rate!? Piority shoud be to save the trees at all costs, not cut them down because it is the easist way to solve the the problem!!!!?????????Carolyn???????????
As in all of these difficult discussions, it is not unreasonable for the comunity to ask who pays for the cutting , precisely how the stumps will look afterwards, and of course what are the details of the environmental impact.
Also, in all fairness, it would be a great idea for a complete audit be made available to understand who made any money on the project and if there were conflicts of interest among the parties.
And finally, we should all make ourselves available to read the proposal and its details.
When one of those trees has a limb break off and it falls on someone (or their car or dog), I think the magnolia group should be held liable.?
This is a wonderful story and pictures are very beautiful. Thanks for sharing these pictures with us. I love this blog and I’ve bookmarked this one.
All the trees that were previously marked in orange, have been remarked in purple.?? Parts of the area have been roped off.? Seems like this will happen sooner than later.
This is a biproduct of a survey conducted?by the City of Seattle?to have ?the Federaal Government? “annex” property back to the community so you W.A.S.P’s can build more luxury homes around Discovery Park.
-?Get you facts straight April..
What are you talking about “get you facts straight…”?? I just mentioned something I saw in the park.? I wasn’t writing a dissurtation.? Don’t be so rude.
What part of the city of Seattle did the markings? I need a clue.
I bet?that?would offend?the dead,?to?cut trees.?Trees,?comfort and dignity.?On the back?of the?upright?tombstone,?but the requirements of this beautiful?old trees?are gone,?they left.?Please do not?cut interest?rates.?My grandmother?and?my grandfather?and?terrible Aurora?cemetery, where?gravestones?to save trees.?Well?my grandfather,?who loved?the woods.
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