I talked to SDOT 's Urban Forestry to answer a few questions:
Kevinx- The Weeping Poplar was deemed to be worthy of heritage tree status (and a "special" tree) by virtue of its exceptional size for the species. I think fromt he reation of the community it was bviously also a community landmark.
Evan- The city is responsible for all trees in the public right-of-way and they do in fact prune trees if they see a hazard condition, or at time for the health of a tree. If you have a tree in your neighborhood you have a question on safety you can call and they are more than happy to inspect the tree. They take this responsiblity quite serious as they are legally liable. What this owner should have done is contact the city, again this was not his land nor his tree.
In other cities he would be fined for city time and for the price of mitigating a like tree. For all Seattle's green preaching we woefully neglect what is literally in our backyard.

Now here's a heritage tree. (And yet another a good reason to dislike France.)

From the Times Online:

Officials fell trees inscribed by US soldiers who fought for France. Historic ‘name trees’ bore thousands of carvings

Historians hope to save the few remaining trees after 150 were felled

The names “Thomas and Dorothy” were carved in the bark of one trunk. Another said “Bob and Carma”. Other trees were marked with soldiers’ home states - Iowa, Maine or Alabama - and several bore hearts and the names or initials of a wife or girlfriend.

The beech trees of Saint Pierre de Varengeville-Duclair forest bore a poignant testimony to the D-Day landings for more than six decades.

Thousands of American soldiers stationed there after the liberation of Normandy spent their spare hours with a knife or bayonet creating a lasting reminder of their presence.

Although the trees grew and the graffiti swelled and twisted, this most peculiar memory of one of the 20th century’s defining moments remained visible - until now. Amid bureaucratic indifference and a dispute between officials and the forest owner, most of the trees have been felled, chopped up and turned into paper.

Claude Quétel, a French historian and Second World War specialist, was horrified when he discovered what he called a catastrophe and a shameless act. “It is a typically French failing to wipe out the traces of the past,” he told The Times. “I am indignant.” —- TimesOnline

BTW - I love how this ties in with the new parking permit restrictions - since it sounds like this guy owns the pay lot beneath the tree.

Probably one of the big problems that the city has is that if they DO fine folks that trim City of Seattle owned trees, the city also takes on full responsibility for caring for a pruning the trees themselves. Which is a logistical nightmare that I'm sure they would prefer the 99.9% of folks that can handle a situation with a neighbor like this responsibly.

The real story here is how it got to the point where both sides took such drastic action.

I'm with Bella on this one.

Can anyone tell us:

What was important about this tree? What is the aspect of "heritage" that made this tree special?

It was a big tree. Fine. But what made it a "special" big tree?

A heritage tree is not something new. In fact Seattle is sadly behind most other American cities when it comes to landmarking trees based on their age, size, type, historical association or horticultural value (basically trees of special importance to the City.)

One of you asked who cares? Hmmm, and I thought Seattle was so progressive. I guess you have to ask youself do you consider trees important. Or more over how long do you plan to live in an area and how long you plan to live. People come and go but a typical heritage tree is 80+ years old.; and depending upon where you live in this country they can be 1000 years old.

The trouble with this city is council has neven given the Seattle Dept. if Transportation the authority, the actual teeth, to fine people who whack at trees in the public right-of-way. This was not Cawdrey's tree to trim, it belongs to the City of Seattle. If we actually valued our somewhat lacking canopy in this city we would promote the notion of SDOT fining citizens who step beyond their legal right. But of course maybe he has improved his view.

Do these vigilites think the yard waste collecting truck is a hearse?

Heritage status for a tree is a joke. If the city someday determines that the tree undermines safety or compromises the power lines, they're going to whack the shit out of it anyway...no matter the "status". I've seen it happen before.

Flinga is right. Divert your energy.

I knew someone in college who was like 6'5" and called himself "Tree". Man, I hated that guy.

Look, I'm not going to go put an effing candle under it or anything, but I know if I my neighbor killed a big beautiful tree that was shading my yard, I'd be pissed.
Whatever. I accept the fact that I am dumb for thinking that trees produce a lot of oxygen, and that they should all be cut down because they are ugly and annoying. Blah blah blah.

Is it terrible to wish that one of those candles burns down the tree?

so Andy said everything I wanted to say here 1000x better

Actually, Bella, algae and other marine plants--not trees--produce well over half the oxygen in the atmosphere.

This is just a case of feuding landowners who need to grow up: she went around his back with the Heritage Tree process, so he went around hers with the pruning. They're both greedy fools trying to disguise their selfishness as looking after the public welfare. It's a pity that the tree died as a result, but in the scheme of things, it is just one old tree. And a dozen young trees would probably sequester more carbon and pump out more oxygen than this one mature tree, so if you're really upset, just buy a sapling and plant it on your own property.

Gotta say I like the irony of all the cut flowers--probably raised on cleared forest land--that people have placed at the "memorial". Brilliant.

"Mister!" he said with a sawdusty sneeze,
"I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.
I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.

what about the cotton plants that were senselessly slaughtered to make these candle wicks!

who will speak for the cotton plants!

you've GOT to be kidding me. Candles? For a fucking tree! There are people going hungry all over this city. Elderly people the are lonely needing attention. And people are spending building temples to trees! Wow. That's pathetic.

I like trees and all, but this is a little much. Candles? For real?

Are you 15?

You know that we would all die without trees, right?
That they are the main producers of oxygen on Earth? That they reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere? That they help to moderate ground temperature (hello, global warming?)?
I know it is just one tree, but humans have cut down such a vast amount in the past 100 years, and when you stop caring about one, it's just that much easier to stop caring about them all, and when that happens, we all stop breathing.

This is absolutely stupid, and a waste of time. What the fuck is a heritage tree? Who gives a crap? People really do have too much time on their hands. Grow up.

Will they start a fundraiser so the tree can get some therapy?

The candle-light-virgil mob would have been the first to sue if a branch had fallen on them in someone's 'business'. Want to blame anyone, blame the trial lawyers and John Edwards voters.

From what I'm reading the tree is co-owned. The City just honored the tree and gave it more status. Clearly it is a violation to cut the tree without working that through with the co-owner and probably even the city now.

Sorry "move on" folks, but from a very conservative property rights stance, this is criminal. He should be fined.

Flinga -> could you go and fight? please? You are officially the lowest common denominator of society. There must be something shiny to take you attention away.

Are you freaking kidding me? You people have WAY too much time on your hands! Plant a tree in your yard if you're so upset. Send a soldier that is fighting for LIVES a bag of beef jerky- instead of spending money on candles for a TREE. Sure, it's sad, but COME ON!

He should be fined once for the trimming and fined again if the tree doesn't survive. He should also be held financially responsible for removing the tree if it dies.

Anyone know what business he owns? I say we boycott.

Agreed, and I think that Cawdrey lost massive good will and tree karma points for pulling this boner. Way to go, ace!

I think its a case of ask for forgiveness rather than permission....

What's the bet the tree huggers also love and voted for ambulance chasing trial lawyers? Want their cake and eat it it to.