A centuries-old tree in Lakewood, Washington is at the centre of a major debate. A proposal to build a semi-truck parking lot could lead to the removal of a Garry oak tree estimated to be over 900 years old. This ancient tree, located in the Woodbrook industrial area, has become a symbol of the fight between development and conservation.
Tree Older Than Civilisations at Risk
The massive Garry oak tree stands tall on a 3.8-acre lot that has already seen major tree loss. Birds still chirp in its wide branches, but its future is uncertain.
Public records show that between 2023 and 2024, 70 trees were cut down illegally from this site at 7319 146th St. SW without permission. The City of Lakewood originally fined the landowner over $1.1 million for this unauthorised removal, but the fine was later reduced to $346,920.
Semi-Truck Parking Lot Proposed
The land is owned by Jane Yin, and the Emerson Lake Business Park is looking to extend an existing truck-and-trailer parking lot onto this property. Jason Hubbell is listed as the applicant for the project, but neither he nor representatives from the business park have responded to public inquiries.
The lot is currently valued at $1.6 million, and the developers are trying to get a retroactive tree removal permit. They are also applying for three more permits, including a conditional-use permit, which will be decided at a future public hearing.
City Reviewing Tree Survey and Code Violations
The City of Lakewood is now demanding updated information. Officials want to know exactly how many trees were removed, how large they were, and the correct mitigation fee under the city’s tree protection rules. Developers are required by Lakewood’s municipal code to submit detailed plans — including tree retention, landscaping, and irrigation — before any construction is approved.
Conservationists Rally to Save the Ancient Oak
Christina Manetti, founder of the Garry Oak Coalition, is leading the effort to protect the ancient tree. Although she’s not a scientist, Manetti is deeply passionate about tree conservation. She said the oak is the largest she’s ever seen in Lakewood, with a 60-inch diameter. According to environmental reports, the tree is in excellent health, with a wide canopy and only some invasive ivy.
Manetti highlighted that the tree could be even older than 900 years — possibly dating back before the birth of Genghis Khan or the Italian Renaissance.
Protected Tree in a Protected Wetland Area
Adding to the controversy, the tree sits next to wetlands, which are also protected by law. The environmental assessment completed in 2025 found that the tree plays a key role in:
- Water infiltration
- Carbon capture (sequestration)
- Improving water quality
- Controlling runoff from impervious surfaces
Manetti pointed to nearby developments like the Amazon warehouse, warning that replacing natural spaces with concrete harms the environment further.
Community Voices Call for Action
At a Lakewood City Council meeting on February 2, nine local residents, including Manetti, spoke out against removing the tree. They reminded the council that in 2022, the Garry oak was declared Lakewood’s official tree and that the city aims to reach 40% tree canopy by 2050.
The fate of this ancient tree now depends on upcoming decisions by the city and the public’s continued involvement.
