MUKILTEO – Trees don’t always show their true colors.
At least, that appears to be the case on the improved Mukilteo Speedway, where some of the new trees that turned brown in August now appear to be perking up.
State Department of Transportation officials received calls over the summer from people concerned that the new trees were dying.
Most of the plants along the speedway, set out during the spring, are doing well, according to Alisa Sawich, a state landscape designer.
“I really don’t judge a plant until it’s been in the ground a year,” Sawich said. “There are a few that look a little questionable.”
Work on the long-planned, $13.7 million widening of Mukilteo Speedway, or Highway 525, between 132nd Street SW and Paine Field Boulevard began in 2002 and was finished late in 2004.
Trees and shrubs valued at $438,000 were planted in May and June. They include 80 Pembury hedge maples, 74 Amur maples, 52 Kousa dogwoods, 20 Cleveland select Callery pears and some Douglas firs, said Marlin Lenssen, a state project engineer. More trees will be planted this winter during their dormant period, he said.
A1 Landscaping and Construction of Snohomish handled the work. Irrigation was installed in the median to water the plants, but there is no irrigation along the sides of the roadway, “and the plants were chosen accordingly,” Sawich said.
The contractors have been watering the median plants regularly, she said.
“I think they’ve done a good job out there,” Sawich said.
As part of the deal with the state, the contractor will replace any plants that die the first year, she said.
Sawich said it’s not unusual for new plants to die, often because of the shock of being transplanted. “You hope it’s not too many,” she said.
Nor is it unusual for maples to turn color, drop leaves and shut down to conserve resources when it’s dry, Sawich said.
The state and city of Mukilteo have agreed that once certain conditions are met, the state will turn maintenance of the plants over to the city. The conditions include the health of the plants and evidence that storm drains and irrigation systems are in good working order, city and state officials said.
Reporter Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439 or sheets@heraldnet.com.
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