Free Trees Are Here! Get Yours Now!
Free Trees Are Here! Get Yours Now!
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Tree Bark, News From Urban Forestry - All Trees, No Pulp
URBAN FORESTRY
September 2020
Make a Difference: Get Free Trees for Your Yard
A happy owner of two new elm trees in 2019. Taking home a free tree at the 2019 giveaway.
Ready to change the world? You can take action by planting trees at your home and encouraging others to do the same. It really can be as simple as that, one tree at a time.
By planting more trees in Portland, you can help provide cleaner air, cooler temperatures, and better physical and mental health for all of us. Planting our large, native trees makes even more of an impact. So what are you waiting for? Now is the time.
Sign Up for Free Trees!
We need trees more than ever. That is why Urban Forestry is giving away 1,200 free trees to Portlanders. The first event is coming up on September 26, 2020.
As we begin our 4th annual Yard Tree Giveaway season, here are some common questions people have for us:

How do I get free trees?
Sign up! We cannot give them to you until we know you want them. Follow the simple sign up steps at the link above.

I am physical distancing, how do I get my tree during the pandemic?
We have four no contact events for you to choose from, they are:
  • September 26, 2020 (SE Portland)
  • October 10, 2020 (East Portland)
  • October 24, 2020 (North Portland)
  • November 7, 2020 (SE Portland)
You choose the event date and time when you sign up. Trees will be available for you to load yourself. Staff will be on site to answer questions and direct you through the process.

How many trees can I have?
You can receive up to two trees per address. Trees must be planted on private property only.

I got two free trees last year, can I get more this year?
Yes! We love trees and we are glad you do, too!

What kind of trees are available?
We ordered 20 high-quality tree species to choose from. Here are our top recommendations:
  • Douglas-fir
  • Oregon white oak (sold out this year!)
  • Willamette Valley ponderosa pine
  • Giant sequoia
I do not live in the city limits of Portland, can I still get a free tree?
Sadly, no. We recommend that you check with your local urban forestry department and let them know you are interested in having trees planted at your home.

Can I use these trees to fulfill a tree planting permit requirement?
No, Yard Tree Giveaway Trees cannot be used to fulfill any permit planting requirements.

Free trees sound good, but what is the catch? What are my responsibilities?
You are responsible for planting the tree, watering it for three years, and letting Urban Forestry check on the tree to help us measure the success of the program.

For more information on the Yard Tree Giveaway Program visit our website here.

All of us can make a difference. Help us make Portland a greener and healthier city by planting trees in your yard.

Upcoming Events

Opportunities to learn and volunteer!

www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/workshops

A map of the Pop-Up Arboretum at Kenilworth Park.

September Pop-Up Arboreta
Ongoing through September

 

Visiting our Portland parks and natural spaces has been a source of comfort for many people during the pandemic.
Since the smoke has cleared for now, there are new parks (and one parkway) with Pop-Up Arboreta waiting for you to discover them.

The September Pop-Up Arboreta Parks are:
  • Kenilworth Park
  • Lair Hill Park
  • Overlook Park
  • Roseway Parkway (All five blocks!)
Be sure to check out the September 2020 Arboreta Maps from the Pop-Up website before you go!
Remember – do not go into parks or onto trails if you cannot stay at least 6 feet away from other people. Respect park facility closures, such as playgrounds and athletic fields. Current information is posted at PortlandParks.org.

Portland Parks & Recreation has monitored the COVID-19 situation since it began. We continue to be in communication with and to follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Oregon Health Authority, Multnomah County Health Department, and the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management regarding the situation.

More Upcoming Events


9/26/2020, Friends & Allies Summit: The Portland Parks Foundation, in partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation, is holding a virtual gathering for 200+ non-profit, volunteer, and grassroots groups. If you have been involved with volunteer stewardship in parks, natural areas, community gardens, or community centers, this summit is for you! The event takes place online from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Learn more and register here.

10/29/2020, Tree Code Amendments Public Hearing: City Council will hear testimony and City staff recommendations around proposed tree code amendments online via Zoom at 2:00 pm on October 29, 2020. The public hearing will include testimony on tree preservation in certain development situations. Updated information will be posted to the Proposed Tree Code Amendments website here.
Ongoing:
September Pop-Up Arboreta: Have you visited a Pop-Up Arboretum in a Portland park yet? Well, there are many new trees to discover! Going on now, Kenilworth Park, Lair Hill Park, Overlook Park, and Roseway Parkway have interactive and informational signs installed on trees! If one of these is your local park or parkway, be sure to visit before the signs are gone. While you are out there, tag @portlandparks on Instagram or @Urban Forestry - Portland Parks & Recreation on Facebook and let us know which tree is your favorite park tree. To see the September Pop-Up Arboreta schedule, click here.
Remember – do not go into parks or onto trails if you cannot stay at least 6 feet away from other people. Respect park facility closures, such as playgrounds and athletic fields. Current information is posted at PortlandParks.org.

Portland Parks & Recreation has monitored the COVID-19 situation since it began. We continue to be in communication with and to follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Oregon Health Authority, Multnomah County Health Department, and the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management regarding the situation.

Event Highlights

See photos from recent events!

www.flickr.com/photos/urbanforestry

Creative Science School at Clark as seen from Google Street View.

Virtual Species Selection Tree Walk
 

On Saturday, September 5, 24 participants went on a virtual walk through the Creative Science School at Clark with Molly Wilson. 
Molly is a Community Tree Planting Specialist with Urban Forestry.
With a few guest appearances from neighborhood dogs, Molly helped participants visualize what a certain tree may look like 10 years after planting.
She also talked about the traits and characteristics of each of the trees on the walk.
If you missed the virtual walk, a map of the trees planted at Clark is available here. If Clark is not in your neighborhood, you can find a selection of other school tree maps here.
Healthy trees need healthy roots, or else problems can occur.

Ask an Arborist - Tree Planting
 

Not all trees are the same. But did you know that different tree species have different habits in how their roots grow?
At the September 16 Ask an Arborist workshop, participants asked the tree planting team some great questions – from roots to shoots!
Planting a tree can seem pretty simple, but there is more to know than how to dig a hole.
If you visit a nursery to select a new tree, do your research before heading out. Know what to look for and what to avoid.
Bring a pair of gloves with you to the nursery and be sure you can find the root flare of your tree before you bring it home. Trees with circling roots can girdle your tree and cause problems in the future.
These handy tips, and more, were shared with attendees at the September Ask an Arborist workshop.
Browse our list of recorded workshops here.

In Other News


Friends of Trees Seeks Executive Director, Application Deadline 10/09/2020: We are helping to spread the word to our tree-loving audience, Friends of Trees is hiring! They are currently seeking their next Executive Director to work with staff in Portland and Eugene. The Executive Director will report to an active board of directors and engage with the community on a daily basis. Learn more about this exciting opportunity and apply here!
Tree Art at the Elisabeth Jones Art Center, Now Through November 5, 2020: "My Favorite Things" is a portrait/interview project featuring local tree people. Featured are Nik Desai (Urban Forestry), Whitney Dorer (Friends of Trees), and Vivek Shandas (Urban Forestry Commission). "Tree Emergency Response Team" will also be on exhibit, featuring paintings of trees slated for removal due to local development. These paintings have raised awareness around tree removals and even saved some trees from being removed! Information on gallery hours and COVID-19 precautions at the gallery are available here.
BikePortland.Org Features Street Improvement Project at SE 80th and Mill. Many Trees Retained, 40 More to Come: Urban Forestry was involved early on in a collaborative Portland Bureau of Transportation project in SE Portland. This project highlights that development and improvements can happen while keeping existing trees, and even making space for more! Read the article and see before and after photos here.
Urban Forestry
1900 SW 4th Ave., Portland, OR 97201503-823-8733
Portland Parks & Recreationwww.PortlandParks.org
Mayor Ted Wheeler • Director Adena Long

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