|
Tree Bark
News from Urban Forestry — All Trees, No Pulp • March 26, 2026
|
|
|
“Never yet was a springtime, when the buds forgot to bloom.”
— Margaret Elizabeth Sangster, Poet, Author, and Editor
|
|
4,003 Trees Find Homes Through the Yard Tree Giveaway
 Thanks to Portlanders across the city, more than 4,000 trees were planted in 2025 through Urban Forestry’s Yard Tree Giveaway! You can see from this map that trees were planted in nearly every neighborhood, with some large clusters in Southeast, North, and Northeast.
Urban Forestry Launches Tree Care Assistance Pilot Program
 Urban Forestry is piloting a new Tree Care Assistance Program for qualified low-income property owners. This pilot serves as the research and development phase as we work to build and refine this program, and we are looking for participants!
|
|
Celebrating the Tree Lady of Brooklyn
 We are continuing our celebration of Women's History Month by highlighting tree activist Hattie Carthan. Carthan was known as the Tree Lady of Brooklyn. After witnessing substantial tree loss in her Bed-Stuy neighborhood, she decided she had to do something about it. Through her activism, she helped lead the planting of over 1,500 trees. Her greatest accomplishment was saving a 40-ft tall southern magnolia that would eventually become New York City's second living landmark.
|
|
Tree Summit Speaker Highlight: J'reyesha Brannon
 Join Urban Forestry on April 11, from 9am to 12pm, at Mt. Scott Community Center for Tree Summit 2026.
This year’s event features environmental engineer, J’reyesha Brannon, who will speak about the impact of climate change and rising temperatures on the lives of people living in low-canopy areas.
Through her Canopy of Stories Project, J’reyesha pairs community stories and heat data, to visually demonstrate how climate change impacts Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities in Multnomah County.
|
|
Neighborhood Tree Stewards Applications Are Open
 It’s time! Neighborhood Tree Stewards applications are now open for this summer’s program. Sign up to be a part of this opportunity to learn more about your city, give back to your community, and connect with your neighbors. This year’s program will consist of six Saturday sessions from mid-May to the end of July. Space is limited. Apply today!
|
|
 Spring Tree Planting with APANO at Harrison Park
Saturday, April 4, 9am to 1pm
Harrison Park (1931 SE 84th Ave, Portland, OR 97216)
Urban Forestry and APANO are teaming up for a springtime planting in the Jade District. Join us as we plant 10 trees and take care of the park's nature patch. Friends of Trees will give away FREE fruit trees and Portland Fruit Tree Project will share information about their programs. We will also have books from Reading in Color mobile library, and lunch will be provided. Don't miss out on this great event.
Earth Day Tree Talk: Black Heroes of Tree Activism
Wednesday, April 15, 5:30 to 7:30pm
Midland Library (805 SE 122nd Ave, Portland, OR 97233)
To celebrate Earth Day, Urban Forestry is hosting a tree talk and social hour to educate the community about the unsung Black heroes of tree activism from around the world. Join us at the Midland Library for a chance to learn and mingle with other tree enthusiasts.
Earth Day Tree Walk with Vision Zero
Friday, April 17, 6 to 8pm
Alberta Park (1905 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97211)
Urban Forestry and the Bureau of Transportation's Vision Zero team are co-hosting a tree walk for Earth Day. We will walk around Alberta Park discussing what makes streets safe, environmental justice with trees, and how those themes connect.
Trees for Residential Streets Open House
Tuesday, April 21, 6 to 8pm
Midland Library (805 SE 122nd Ave, Portland, OR 97233)
Want free trees along the right-of-way without a curb near your home, but don’t know where to start? Come to Urban Forestry’s first open house for the Trees for Residential Streets (TRS) program. You will get an overview of our tree planting strategy and learn more about eligibility from the TRS Program Manager.
|
|
Other News
Celebrate Earth Day with the City of Portland
Celebrate Earth Day with the City of Portland at Parkrose Middle School on April 11. At the event, you can explore cleaner, more proactive ways to move through and live in Portland — from biking and using TriMet to clean energy and the food we eat.
Three Keys to Cooling a City with Trees
Increasing canopy coverage in cities is one of the best ways to protect residents from air pollutants and extreme heat. According to the authors of this article, there are three prerequisites needed to ensure cities are effectively using trees to support their residents: adequate planting density, optimal conditions for growth, and protection to grow to maturity.
|
|
|
|
|
