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Tree Bark

News from Urban Forestry — All Trees, No Pulp • November 4, 2025

Urban Forestry | Get Involved | Find a Park

Thanks for an Amazing Arbor Day Celebration

On a beautiful Saturday morning on October 18, community members gathered with Urban Forestry staff and community partners to celebrate Portland’s 136^th Arbor Day. One hundred and fifty community members visited Sacajawea Head Start to participate in the festivities. Let’s take a look at all that went into the day.

Go to our Flickr album to see photos of the day. 

Meet the 2025 Bill Naito Award Winners

Protecting, preserving, and growing an urban forest is a monumental task that Urban Forestry cannot do alone. We need dedicated community members to step up and support the trees in their communities. One way that we honor those individuals and their hard work is through the Bill Naito Community Trees Award. The Bill Naito Award was created to honor the stories of individuals, organizations, or projects that have continued late Urban Forestry Commission Chair Bill Naito's work for, and dedication to, trees in our city.

The winners for this year are Dr. Vivek Shandas and Morning Star Baptist Church. 

Dr. Vivek Shandas (Individual Award), for his service on the Urban Forestry Commission from 2015 to 2023, increasing community and scientific awareness around the connection between heat, urban canopy, and public health. 

Morning Star Baptist Church (Group Award), for their two-year-long endeavor to increase greenspace and contribute to growing the urban canopy in the Cully Neighborhood. This effort was in partnership with Depave and funded through a Portland Clean Energy Fund green infrastructure grant. 

There's Still Time to Get a Yard Tree Giveaway Tree

Fall is the best time to plant trees, and we will deliver one right to your home! As the Yard Tree Giveaway season wraps up, we are offering free delivery or planting to anyone who registers for a tree!

It is as easy as clicking here. Once you sign-up, let us do the work!   When you register, choose if you would like us to deliver the tree or to plant it for you.

There are dozens of great species available: Choose from evergreens, flowering trees, nut-bearing, and trees rich with autumn color.

Registration will close once all trees have been claimed, so get yours today!

Don’t need one in your yard? Help us spread the word. Tell your neighbors, family, and friends. Click here to let us know if you would like printed postcards, flyers, or yard signs to pass around your community.

Upcoming Events

Other News

Become an Urban Forestry Commissioner 

Urban Forestry is excited to announce we are seeking new community members to join as Commissioners for the Urban Forestry Commission (UFC). The 11-person volunteer-led UFC plays a crucial advisory role in managing Portland's trees, influencing policies related to the city's urban forest plan, budget proposals, and more. If you’re passionate about preserving, protecting, and expanding Portland’s urban forest, this is a great opportunity for you. Applications are due December 8, 2025. 

Calling for Yard Tree Testimonials 

Have you received a free yard tree and love telling your friends all about it? The Yard Tree Giveaway program is seeking volunteers to share stories about their experience caring for their new trees! We are filming short interviews to promote the program to the public. You’ll receive the list of interview questions in advance of the meeting date. The interview process takes an hour or less, depending on how much you’d like to share. Please reach out to Amelio at Amelio.Sosa@PortlandOregon.gov if you’d like to provide a testimonial.

Fall Photo Contest 

The leaves are turning here in Portland. Now is the perfect time to go outside and appreciate their beautiful colors and take pictures. Here at Urban Forestry, we love a good fall photo, so we are bringing back the Fall Photo Contest. Submit your best fall pictures of the city’s trees by December 1 and win a free Urban Forestry t-shirt. Submissions can be sent to UFVolunteers@PortlandOregon.gov or you can tag on us social media @PortlandParks on Instagram and Facebook.

Portland State University

On Portland State University’s campus you can find a magnificent copper beech tree, known as Heritage Tree 54. Planted 135 years ago, this tree is a physical reminder of how Portland is still shaped by its past. Watch this Fox 12 video showcasing an overview of the tree’s life.

Urban Forestry | (503) 823-8733 | Trees@PortlandOregon.gov