Free ‘Street Trees’ are coming to some Portland neighborhoods

Published 9:19 am Monday, December 9, 2024

Portland Parks & Recreation’s Urban Forestry team is planting free street trees from now through March 2025 in specific Portland neighborhoods that have a noted need for more “tree canopy,” or the portion of the ground shaded by a tree or trees.

City contractors will install more than 1,000 young trees in the rights-of-way, typically between sidewalks and roads. The plantings are targeted for locations where the deficit of tree cover has left communities most vulnerable to heat.

“Everyone, regardless of where we live, deserves safer, cleaner, healthier neighborhoods,” says Adena Long, director of the Parks & Recreation Bureau. “It’s a matter of public well-being. The Free Street Tree program is a step in the right direction.”

The priority neighborhoods include Kerns, Buckman, Foster-Powell, Kenton, King, Mt. Scott-Arleta, Piedmont, South Tabor, Wilkes and Creston-Kenilworth.

Studies of these areas of Southeast and Northeast Portland show that they have less canopy cover than other parts of town. Closing this gap in priority service areas has been a primary goal for the city’s Parks & Rec Bureau, according to a Monday, Dec. 9, press release. The city has maintained an Equitable Tree Canopy program.

Urban Forestry staff will ensure the new trees are watered, weeded and maintained for three years after planting. Tree planting sites are chosen to avoid utilities, to maximize tree canopy and to provide the “greatest service to residents.” The trees being planted are selected to be climate-resilient and low maintenance.

“Trees are very important for improving the health, safety and well-being for Portlanders,” said City Forester Jenn Cairo. “Not only do they function to cool spaces on hot summer days, but they play a vital role in improving human health.”

This planting isn’t a stand-alone effort, she added. “The Free Street Trees effort is one of several programs in action to improve the green infrastructure of our neighborhoods, over the next five years,” Cairo said.

 By the numbers

West of the Willamette River, Portland neighborhoods feature, in aggregate, 56% canopy cover. But east of the river, where 80% of Portland’s residents live, canopy cover is only 21%.

On the city’s hottest days, this can result in a variation in temperature as high as 20% between the eastside and westside. “That difference can mean life or death, for residents,” according to the press release.

Trees offer shade; lower temperatures in neighborhoods; provide wildlife habitat, beauty and cleaner air. They also help improve road safety and mental health outcomes in our neighborhoods, according to the release.

Free trees for private properties also are available through Urban Forestry’s annual Yard Tree Giveaway program, held each fall. Friday, Dec. 13, is the last day to register and receive trees this season.

An estimated 300 trees are still available for free delivery to any Portland property owners. The supply includes colossal chestnuts, interior live oaks, Oregon white oaks, ponderosa pines and London planetrees. Mulch for the trees, watering buckets and instructions for planting also are provided.

Property owners must register by clicking here to receive their trees, and also can request Urban Forestry’s assistance deciding which trees might be best for their homes. Planting specialists can answer questions in English and in Spanish.