Western redcedar dieback has been observed throughout the Northwest, leading to growing concerns about their survival in future climates. This study conducted by the WSU Ravenholt Urban Forest Health Lab with support from the Tacoma Tree Foundation is helping us understand how to make sure this amazing tree continues to grow in our state.

By creating pathways for more homes and more trees in the landscape, Home in Tacoma Phase Two could go down as one of the most important environmental and climate actions of our generation. But developers are fighting to remove private property tree protections. It's time to take action so Tacoma implements unified codes that will enable the growth critical infrastructure of trees and “middle housing” at the same time.

Does the health of our trees reflect the health of our communities? In this post, Joey Hulbert, PhD, Forest Health Watch Program Director, and his team explain why diversifying the trees in our urban forest is an important means of keeping trees, like the beloved native Bigleaf Maple, and other maple varieties, healthy and thriving.

What does Tacoma need to do in order to confront the health threats posed by the urban heat island effect and the overall challenges of climate change? In this post, Executive Director of the Tacoma Tree Foundation, Lowell Wyse, explains the health and environmental effects of urban heat island, how the Foundation and city and county partners are working to confront these challenges, and the urgent steps that leaders and governments must take today to ensure trees are an essential component of urban infrastructure tomorrow.