HORTICULTURE
Urban Forest Restoration Program

As open land shrinks and population grows, pressure on this resource we treasure but have long taken for granted has increased. Throughout the City, aggressive species like English ivy, holly, laurel and blackberry have smothered native undergrowth and halted establishment of new tree generations. With positive intervention we can overturn this trend.

Citizens of all ages and walks of life have given abundant time and talent toward helping us meet this great challenge. The Department's Urban Forest Restoration Program develops - and with community support - implements vegetation management plans for individual Seattle parks. We first document baseline vegetation composition (species) and condition, as well as landscape history and use, then create specific recommendations to return the forest to long-term health.

Implementation projects include invasive plant removal, hazard tree removal, tree and understory planting, maintenance, monitoring, and public education. This is the work of generations, and with each project we learn more and build additional bridges to the community.