Thursday, October 1, 2026
The City of Tumwater is seeking policy changes to clarify the role the Historic Preservation Commission plays in protecting trees listed on a historic register.
At a meeting on Thursday, Jan. 15, Assistant City Administrator Kelly Adams asked the commission for volunteers to help city staff draft amendments to the commission’s bylaws. The commission nominated members David Nicandri and Don Trosper to assist with the effort.
The amendments would support the long-term preservation of the Davis Meeker Garry oak tree, which is listed on the city’s historic register.
Under former Mayor Debbie Sullivan, the city planned to remove the historic tree, citing safety concerns, but later backed away from the plan following public outcry about the tree’s historic value. Estimated to be around 400 years old, the tree served as a trail marker for the historic Cowlitz trail.
Adams said the city is developing a work plan for the tree based on recommendations from Todd Prager & Associates, an arborist firm hired to assess the risk of keeping the tree.
Before the city can move forward with the plan, Adams said the commission must approve a certificate of appropriateness, which is required for any changes to properties listed on the historic register.
Since the process is currently codified to only account for structures, the amendments would provide clarity that the commission has authority over historic trees as well.
Adams told the commission that in preparing the amendments, staff would like input from the commission.
“We don't feel good about drafting this by ourselves," Adams said. "We want to make sure that we have your input and expertise.”
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BillSpencer
Oh my goodness, the amount of outrage over one stupid tree. Branches will continue to fall onto the highway, like they have in the past, putting people at risk. They already have gathered the acorns and so they can plant a new tree and maintain it's lineage. I just don't get the controversy.
Tuesday, January 20 Report this
SecondOtter
It's not the tree, per se, Mr. Spencer. It's the Port of Olympia still trying to get rid of the tree so that they can expand operations at the Oly Regional Airport for over 600 landings and takeoffs per DAY. The Seattle International Airport is going to make Oly's small airport a 'feeder' for their monster. We have been fighting this for years and the Port refuses to listen to us.
They are in the process right now of '''improving'' the runways, (so that heavy jets can land), and they wave it off as 'necessary but nothing to worry about. But read their budget, which includes things like snowplows and de icer's for JETS. Not Cessnas...passenger AND cargo jets. Plans include parking for over 500 cars, jet fuel tanks, a BIG passenger terminal.....it's going to be a BIG airport.
And the Port has yet to be HONEST with us. That's the point. They're treating us as if we're stupid.
The port is using the tree like the wizard of Oz used the giant face on the curtain...making a tree the enemy, when it's really the Port hiding behind it who have every intention of turning Tumwater into another Seatac (the sad community that exists at the end of SEA TACs runways.
Leave the tree alone. It's not hurting anyone. And having acorns from it doesn't mean it's a replacement. That tree is over 400 years old and in good health.
Wednesday, January 21 Report this