The Garry Oak Coalition

09/07/2026

More illegal tree-cutting in Lakewood: School Street SW, Saturday, September 5, 2026.

Appear to be a redwood and Douglas fir (latter not visible in photo).

No permit. Stopped by the police before other trees, including a Garry oak, were cut down.

So much for "40% canopy cover" goal and Garry oak protections.

The City needs to crack down on unethical tree cutters and tree-related code violations, and needs to have code enforcement on duty 24/7 and tree education for its police force.

We hope they will take this developer to task.

05/30/2026

PUBLIC COMMENTS NEEDED:

Please tell the City of Lakewood not to allow further oak destruction in their Transportation Plan:

- attend the City Council meeting on Monday at 7pm

- and/or send a letter in to the City by 5pm on Monday using the template/instructions at the link below:
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/help-save-garry-oaks-by-dower-elementary

REMEMBER THE LORAX?

Well, "cumulative impact" is what Dr. Seuss was explaining so that kids could understand it -- but it's obviously a very real and serious problem.

In Lakewood, hundreds and hundreds of protected Garry oaks have already been cut down. They are extremely important to hundreds of life forms in our region, and grow extremely slowly.

That makes replacing them is impossible, since it would take at least 300 years (15 years per inch x 20 inches in diameter = 300 years) and it's not guaranteed, given the changing weather).

It's not about "just one oak", or "just three oaks" -- there WON'T always be more if we keep cutting them down like this.

Tell the City of Lakewood you want it to start taking its responsibility to protect Garry oaks seriously, and not allow them more to be cut in their public rights of way.

THE OAKS THANK YOU.

Make Public Comments at Lakewood City Council Meeting: Monday, June 1st, 7:00 PM Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main St SW, Lakewood, WA 98499 Attend by Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86872632373 Attend by phone: (253) 215-8782 and enter participant ID: 868 7263 2373 Send written comments to City Clerk b...

05/28/2026

PUBLIC COMMENTS NEEDED MONDAY TO PROTEST CUTTING OF GARRY OAKS FOR MORE SIDEWALKS:

After cutting down protected Garry oaks for sidewalks on Nyanza, for the Tillicum path, on 112th, Interaaken and Hipkins, the City of Lakewood plans to cut down yet more Garry oaks for sidewalks. This time by Dower Elementary on Custer Road.

More information about how to attend (including Zoom link), information and letter template are here at this link: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/help-save-garry-oaks-by-dower-elementary/

This time the Garry oaks are part of a nice grove, even with camas flowers, that are adjacent to Dower Elementary School on Custer Road - please send in a public comment and go in person to make a public comment at the next City Council meeting, this coming Monday, June 1st, at 7pm.

THE OAKS THANK YOU.