I know Seattle fairly well. I want people to recognize that our weird adoration of the concept of a tree has not improved our lives. Power companies have full time staffs and thousands of ‘cherry-picker’ trucks whose purpose is to keep cutting back the trees that keep growing along the same curbs where telephone poles carry power lines. The costs are in our utility bills.
We have politicians who feel comfortable telling citizens what they can eat and drink, but they don’t have the guts to say trees and power lines should not occupy the same space.
In fact, as you say, it is the opposite in a lot of localities, where private property owners cannot deal with their own trees without serious hassle.
PS: I am very grateful to live in a community with underground lines. No power failures for several years, and those only briefly.
I agree with some people’s “weird adoration of a tree” not improving our lives!
Same can be said for smelt, toads, etc., etc. I get really ticked when *some* people don’t understand that people (including those that are unborn and those that are elderly) are much more important than fish, animals, insects, trees and plants (not ranting at you, maica - - I like you and enjoy your posts - you’re very insightful).