Tree Walk at Seward Park
September 8, 2014
Seward Park, Seattle
“Today I have grown taller from walking with the trees.”
— Karle Wilson Baker, from 365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne’s Book of Precepts by R. J. Palacio
Earlier this summer when I walked the perimeter of Seattle, I passed by Seward Park without taking the time to explore it. So I returned on Friday to see what this popular city park was all about and to walk the 2+ mile road edging the “peninsula” that juts into Lake Washington. The city of Seattle has published a “Tree Walk at Seward Park,” and with this printout I set out to identify some of the magnificent trees in the park. Let me take you along on my jaunt through Seward Park.
View of Mount Rainier across lake Washington from Seward Park
Row of Bolleana Poplars along the parking lot
Leaves of the Bolleana Poplar
Garry Oak
Leaves of Garry Oak
Spider web
Madrona bark. According to the city brochure, “Seward Park is home to Seattle’s largest collection of Madrona trees.
Another Madrona with peeling bark. Madronas are native to the Pacific Northwest.
Most of the trees in Seward Park are native Douglas Fir trees.
The cones of the Douglas Fir have dragon-tongue-like protrusions jutting out from the cone bracts.
Sketch of Douglas Fir cone
Leaves and acorns from Northern Red Oak
Threadleaf Falsecypress
Traffic circle at Seward Park
Blue Atlas Cedar
The clusters of the Blue Atlas Cedar look like spiky beads on a bracelet
Coastal Redwoods
Leaf litter beneath the Coastal Redwoods
Port Orford Cedar
Trail through the trees, Seward Park
Rosemary's Blog 
September 8, 2014 at 6:08 am
Thank you for a day in Seward Park. It’s a great post to start my day and week. 🙂
September 8, 2014 at 10:05 am
Dear Rosemary, I feel like I know you as we have a mutual friend in common, Bonnie Olpin, who introduced me to your blog. I too paint (WC and Acrylic) and just love the first photo od Tree Walk at Seward Park titled Seward Park, Seattle. I would like to ask if I may use the photo to paint a picture at some future date? I would give you credit for the photo of course. I love the colors and the gentle path leading back out of the picture.
September 8, 2014 at 10:47 am
great pictures !!!
September 8, 2014 at 2:42 pm
A very enjoyable vicarious walk. Thanks for taking it for me!
September 9, 2014 at 6:14 am
What an assortment of trees you have. I was especially taken with the false cypress. The needles look just like what we call dry cypress, although I suppose yours and mine are different species.
That last photo’s wonderful. My first thought was, “I didn’t know trees have belly buttons!”
September 9, 2014 at 7:55 am
Dearest Rosemary, I have been scourering your blog for several years now, absorbing every drop of Washington life I can. I am 10 days away from embarking on a 2 week road trip with my 10 year old son… I wish so badly to talk to you and find some of these places you have teased me with! Especially the Gordon Skagit Farms. Please email me at Robynt_s@Yahoo.com
Thank you for all of your inspiration!
Robyn (chirpandflutter)
September 9, 2014 at 8:34 am
You must be enjoying some fantastic weather in Seattle for such a clear view of Mount Rainier. I loved the shape of the Bolleana Poplar leaves – that was a new one for me.
September 16, 2014 at 2:20 pm
I just found your blog and it’s wonderful! My family and I live just north of Seattle. Our little one is 5 years old now and I would love to find a local spot where she can experience the joy of “discovering” fallen acorns for herself. Do you have any recommendations for a great location and best time frame to go looking for them? Sincerest thanks! 🙂
September 16, 2014 at 4:31 pm
Good luck finding fallen acorns. In my experience, the squirrels beat me to them every time! Last year I picked acorns before they hit the ground. There are oak trees on the boulevard by Ravenna and 65th. There are some, including a beautiful English oak, at the Arboretum. (They might also have suggestions for where to find oak trees in Seattle.) Have fun.
September 16, 2014 at 7:40 pm
Thank you, thank you, thank you! 🙂