24 Poplar trees to come down along trail in LFP

Published 12:31 pm Thursday, February 21, 2008

LAKE FOREST PARK — About 24 of the 119 tall poplar trees along the oldest portion of the Burke Gilman Trail that runs through Lake Forest Park will soon be cut down, King County officials said.

The poplar trees along the trail from Ballinger Way to the bridge past 170th were planted about 25 years ago. Before the end of the year King County will be cutting down 24 of those trees that are next to some businesses along that part of the trail, said Leslie McLean, capital projects manager with the King County Parks Department.

“This project has been in the making for 12 years, and a constant source of concern with the land owners directly underneath the trees because of leaf drop, excessive litter, sap drop and roots buckling the parking lot off Ballinger Way and 170th,” McLean said.

“While those trees planted were good trees, they were put in the wrong place and the roots grow near the surface, so it’s not good to be next to buildings and concrete,” she said.

The county received a permit from the city of Lake Forest Park to remove the trees, provided that mitigation occur.

According to city officials, the county had to provide the city with an arborist report on the condition of the trees and a replanting plan that meets city requirements.

“If an applicant fulfills all of the requirements for the tree removal permit, the city does not have an option to deny the permit,” city officials said in a written statement.

“To remove the trees we have to replant the area with more appropriate species, that’s the condition of the permit,” McLean said.

The county plans to replant the area with Redbud Dogwoods and Fastigata, both deciduous trees that are ornamental but not as fast growing as poplars.

“People will definitely notice the trees coming down,” McLean said, “but they will grow back, they always do, and it will be a species that is much more appropriate for the location.”