The Fremont Solstice Trees

Fremont’s charm and weirdness are reflected in its tree canopy. For decades, the red maples that live on North 36th street have brought joy to residents and visitors alike.  They’ve been home to climbers during the Solstice Day Parade and shade countless pedestrians during summer heat waves. 

Street trees like the Fremont Solstice maples are on public land. They are OUR trees. And yet, they are up for removal because an out-of-town developer purchased the adjacent property, home to the historic Harvey Funeral Home, and their development plans don’t include retaining these trees.

Street trees are usually protected during development, since they fall under stricter SDOT removal guidelines. These trees are owned by the people of Seattle, not by the developer. Even so, they have been approved for removal.

These trees add life, character, and joy to Fremont. They quietly help us address climate change: filtering water that flows into the Ship Canal, cooling Fremont’s heat island, and cleaning air polluted by traffic.

The developer plans on "replacing" these trees with smaller, ornamental plants that do not (and never will) provide the same benefits as these full-grown maples. They even plan on removing an incense cedar that abuts the edge of the lot, when it could easily be saved.

The community is standing up to protect these maples. ‍Let’s save the Fremont Solstice Trees.