I enjoyed reading your blog about the Redtail Reach restoration site. It’s great to know members of the community are actively taking part in the site. I especially appreciate the comments regarding red alder and cottonwoods. Those species do have a special role in ripairian communities. The City of Bellingham has over 50 restoration sites around town. We find that the alders and cottonwoods readily sprout up in all the sites one -two years after the site was restored. In most sites we find we couldn’t keep them out if we wanted to. If you look closely at the ground at Redtail reach you will see they are already starting to come in.

Renee LaCroix
Restoration Coordinator
City of Bellingham

People often operate via their personal and cultural prejudices, to the detriment of all.

I’ve heard various derogatory comments about these two trees– from both professionals and Tree Board members of City of Woodinville!

They’ve said that they are “not valuable” and even “trash trees”!!!.

It was an energy drain to attempt to convince one city employee (a “wetland specialist”!), so volunteers just went ahead and transplanted Red Alder onto the Sammamish River.

An enlightened Woodinville Tree Board member has commented that Red Alder is known for (healing?) properties in Aryuvedic (sp?) medicine.

So, thanks to Red Alder, Cottonwood & folks who recognize intrinsic value rather than operate according to cultural ranking & prejudice!