Temporary Road Closure for Tree Maintenance along Legion Way

legion way trees olympia
Two remaining sweet gum trees at the intersection of Legion Way and Eastside Street can be seen in this photo. The tree to the right honors Alfred W. Leach. Photo courtesy Jennifer Crooks.
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Submitted by The City of Olympia

legion way trees
The Legion Way trees (looking west from Central Street) form a unique memorial corridor in Olympia. Photo courtesy Jennifer Crooks.

Beginning Monday, June 30, and continuing through Monday, July 13, nine high risk trees will be removed from Legion Way. Sections of Legion Way where crews are working will be completely blocked to through traffic, but the entrance to the Madison Elementary parking lot will remain accessible via alternate routes. Work will take place between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. each day.

The trees scheduled for removal on Legion Way are all showing signs of having extensive decay. They include three sweetgums and six red and pin oaks. Each tree is marked with a white paint dot on the trunk facing the street. They are located at:

  1. 523 Central St SE, along Legion Way
  2. 521 Quince St SE, along Legion Way
  3. 907 Legion Way
  4. 1011 Legion Way
  5. Southwest corner of Legion Way and Boundary St SE
  6. 1128 Legion Way
  7. 525 Pear St SE, along Legion Way
  8. 1113 Legion Way (Olympia School Admin. Building)
  9. 1015 Legion Way

Following each tree’s removal, the remaining stumps will be ground down as deep as possible and the soil replaced so a new tree may be planted.  The new trees will be red oaks. Red oaks are known for their strong wood and large canopies, and were among the original tree species planted on Legion Way to honor military veterans in 1926.

Removing and replacing those trees that are a risk today ensures that Legion Way will continue to be a historic community landmark and a living legacy.  Click here to read a ThurstonTalk history article sharing the story behind these historic trees.

 

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