The Surfside Tree Committee claims there is no direct evidence linking the destruction of trees around Seabreeze Lake to the rise of blue-green algae, even while acknowledging that trees reduce phosphorus and stormwater runoff—two of the primary drivers of algae … Continue reading Trees, Stormwater, and Seabreeze Lake: Why Tree Canopy Matters
Responding to Claims About Surfside’s Tree Covenant A post on the Surfside Preservation page—written by a member of the Surfside Tree Committee—accuses critics of the tree covenant of relying on “logical fallacies,” even labeling one resident the “Manager of Mischief.” … Continue reading When Science Is Dismissed as “Mischief”:
Along the streets and lots of Surfside, Washington, stand what many residents now call the “ghost trees.” They are not casualties of wildfire or storms. They are the remains of once-healthy trees that were topped, mutilated, and slowly killed in … Continue reading The Ghost Trees of Surfside: Who Pays for clearing an Environmental Crime Scene?
In many communities, tree height restrictions were originally created to protect views or maintain neighborhood aesthetics. However, when these rules require homeowners to repeatedly top or remove healthy trees, they can undermine environmental protection and raise serious questions about the … Continue reading Tree Height Restrictions, Environmental Protection, and Civil Rights
Falling trees often receive dramatic attention after storms, yet statistically they represent one of the rarest causes of accidental death. When compared with common hazards people routinely accept — such as driving, home fires, or falls — the risk from … Continue reading How Dangerous Are Falling Trees Compared to health risks of removing trees or other causes of death?
The environmental boxing match of the century Every new home represents safety, shelter, and stability for people. But it also represents tree loss, carbon emissions, water runoff, pollution, and habitat destruction. Cities and counties routinely approve housing without accounting for … Continue reading Man versus Tree
The term atmospheric river sounds poetic, but it was chosen for a very practical reason. Scientists studying global weather patterns discovered that most of the planet’s water vapor does not move evenly through the atmosphere. Instead, it travels in long, … Continue reading Why They’re Called Atmospheric Rivers—and Why They’ve Become So Destructive
Instead of a Christmas tree that’s thrown away in January, imagine giving a living Christmas tree that becomes working infrastructure—one that protects your home, your community, local waterways, and future generations. A single $50 live tree planted each year for … Continue reading The best gift you can give this season isn’t under the tree—it is the tree
A heartfelt thank-you to every Surfside resident who took the time to vote in this independent community poll. Your participation shows how deeply our community cares about transparency, health, safety, and the future of our tree canopy and waterways. This … Continue reading Surfside Independent voting
Real estate developers are increasingly discovering that one of the most powerful drivers of return on investment isn’t granite countertops or smart-home features — it’s trees. From boosting home values to lowering operating costs and shaping desirable communities, strategic landscaping … Continue reading How Developers Use Trees to Boost Neighborhood Appeal—and Profits
Surfside Washington News 