The Tree Inventory Project maps, measures, and identifies EVERY tree in Portland’s parks. If that sounds like a huge project, it is!

Team Leaders are the backbone of the inventory, leading their neighbors in collecting information on Portland's park trees. We can then use that information to help take care of the trees, plan future plantings, and put on fun events like our Pop-Up Arboreta. 

This is the final year of Park Tree Inventory, and we need more Team Leaders to get us across the finish line!

Join us at Team Leader Training on June 1, where we will teach you all you need to know. No experience is necessary!

Here are the Portland Parks we will be working in this summer, we hope to see you there!

6/1/19, 8:30 am - 2:30 pm: Team Leader Training: Identification and Protocol. Team Leaders guide new volunteers to collect species, size, and health data on Portland's park trees. This training is required for all new team leaders. We will go over project goals, basic tree biology, how to identify Portland's most common park trees, inventory protocol, and the tools used to collect data. Registration will open at 8:30 am. The training will begin at 9:00 am and will end at 2:30 pm, with a break for lunch. Coffee, light breakfast snacks, and lunch will be provided. Register here.

Ongoing:

Flowering Tree Contest: The submissions are all in! Our Spring Flowering Tree Photo Contest is now open for voting, visit our Facebook page to “like” your favorite flowering trees. Voting is open until June 30, 2019, and the winner will be announced in the first July edition of Tree Bark. 

Heritage Tree Photo Contest continues through December 1, 2019. Do you need to know how to find a Heritage Tree near you? Check out our map of all the Heritage Trees in town! Then remember to submit your photo here.

Do you know an individual or group whose community efforts in tree planting, preservation, or stewardship have been amazing? If so, please submit a nomination for the 2019 Naito Award by completing our simple online nomination form here!

The nomination must include a one-page description of the nominee, with information about their innovative and creative approaches, diligent commitment, and community-wide impact. Additional materials in support of the nomination are welcome and may include: news articles, captioned photographs, or letters of support.

Please visit our website here for more information on the Bill Naito Award and a list of previous awardees.  

Nominations are due by midnight on August 7, 2019. Awardees will be honored by the Urban Forestry Commission at Tree Summit 2019.

Questions? Contact UFvolunteers@portlandoregon.gov.

Male Trees and Allergies: A recent article explored the idea that a preference for planting male species of trees may be to blame for an increase in pollen in many urban areas. Terminology like 'botanical sexism' and 'pollenpocalypse' are sprinkled throughout the article, however, it also highlights the need to always consider diversity in tree planting, or suffer the unintended consequences. Read the article here.

Forest Management Technician Needed: The Forest Health Team of the Oregon Department of Forestry's Private Forests Program has a great opportunity for one or more persons seeking experience with forestry and forest health. To qualify, a successful candidate will have an associate degree in forestry or related natural resource experience, or 18 months of forestry or related natural resource experience, or a combination of education and experience totaling 18 months. For more information, contact: Marganne Allen at Marganne.Allen@oregon.gov.

Deferred Tree Planting Began on May 1, 2019 for Tree Removal and Replanting Permit Holders:  Did you know that trees planted during hot, dry weather are less likely to survive? Warmer weather means that it is time to postpone planting trees in Portland. Urban Forestry's tree planting deferral season began May 1 and ends on October 1. Remember to mark your calendars to plant your new trees beginning October 2, 2019! Read more here.