Many who live and work in the heart of downtown Seattle will be grateful to know that their favorite Cherry tree near the bus stop at 5th Avenue and Yesler Terrace has found a new home thanks to developer Martin Selig. The tree now rests on higher ground east of the 18-story office building footprint, filling a gap between Cedar trees on “Goat Hill”. Relocation of this tree, undertaken by Lease Crutcher Lewis, took place this morning at 8:30 a.m. under the watchful eye of local subcontractor, Ross Latham for ‘Big Trees’ and Bill Ames, Forester for the Seattle Department of Transportation Street Use and Urban Forestry Division. The task to successfully lift and transport the tree and root ball weighing in at 80,000 pounds defied the odds thanks to the nimble operation of a 550-ton Ness Crane and a “trees matter” attitude. With construction crews safely out of the way, construction superintendent Ralph Hendrix looked at his materials and equipment lying below the 80,000 pound load and said simply, “That stuff can be replaced”. Now that’s the music Seattle tree lovers like to hear!
Many who live and work in the heart of downtown Seattle will be grateful to know that their favorite Cherry tree near the bus stop at 5th Avenue and Yesler Terrace has found a new home thanks to developer Martin Selig. The tree now rests on higher ground east of the 18-story office building footprint, filling a gap between Cedar trees on “Goat Hill”. Relocation of this tree, undertaken by Lease Crutcher Lewis, took place this morning at 8:30 a.m. under the watchful eye of local subcontractor, Ross Latham for ‘Big Trees’ and Bill Ames, 
Forester for the Seattle Department of Transportation Street Use and Urban Forestry Division. The task to successfully lift and transport the tree and root ball weighing in at 80,000 pounds defied the odds thanks to the nimble operation of a 550-ton Ness Crane and a “trees matter” attitude. With construction crews safely out of the way, construction superintendent Ralph Hendrix looked at his materials and equipment lying below the 80,000 pound load and said simply, “That stuff can be replaced”. Now that’s the music Seattle tree lovers like to hear!