SEATTLE — The owner of Alex’s Tree Removal LLC confirmed to KOMO News that his crew will no longer take part in the removal of a massive western red cedar in northeast Seattle.
The nearly 200-year-old tree has been the center of a controversy between the company trying to chop it down and activists who have taken shelter in the branches.
“Droplet two is in the tree right now and there may be more droplets to come and everyone acting to save the tree is a droplet as well,” Jess, one of the supporters said.
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Two people are now taking refuge on the tree’s branches, they identify as “droplets” and said they will stay put until the tree is protected.
The activists started calling the tree, Luma.
“Right now, legally they are allowed to cut it down as early as Friday, which will be really tragic if they try considering there are human beings up there,” Jess said.
Signs of support from neighbors and community members began piling up as more people learned of the tree’s fate.
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The initial plan was to remove the tree to make way for six units of housing, but that work was on hold after the first Droplet made their way up the tree.
KOMO News reached out to Legacy Group Capital, the developer of the property, but multiple requests for comment were not returned. KOMO News also reached the owner of Bad Boyz Construction by phone, but the general contractor declined to say anything about how the tree protest is affecting the project.
“Yep, I am Droplet two,” a second activist in the tree told KOMO News. “I have been up here for three sleeps, and I plan to stay up here until the plans change.”
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“We are sending a message to anyone that wants to cut down the tree that it will be a hassle,” Droplet two said. “Anyone that loves trees or is heartbroken, we want to know, come support us.”
Since Droplet’s initial effort to save the cedar, members of the Snoqualmie Tribe have reached out to them to help. Droplet One said they are talking about ways to save the tree they are in as well as others around western Washington.
katv.com
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