people should have to pay through the yingyang to cut down standing trees, at least all of them..thinning should be OK...and if they do urban reforestation, with approved species, they should get tax breaks..actually they should have teams of people out knocking on doors and asking for permission to plant trees on private property. Lots of people would say yes. There is a section of Aurora Ave. on Seattle, which in general could be the poster child for urban ugliness (exceeded by Northgate parking lot), which has been made beautiful by some flowering cherries..you don't even notice the car lots or whatever is there. I am also passionate about parking lots being the disaster they are. They should be planted at least 10% with trees or bushes...that would produce a lot more shade and people would be yapping about leaves falling on their cars so leave a section for the crybabies and proceed with vigor. mg