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Tree Bark

News from Urban Forestry — All Trees, No Pulp • July 9, 2026

Urban Forestry | Get Involved | Find a Park

Highlighting the Free Street Trees Program with Urban Forestry 

Do you have a patch of grass between your curb and sidewalk? This space is commonly called the “planting strip.” Through the Free Street Trees program, if your planting strip is four feet or wider, Urban Forestry can plant low-maintenance, climate-adapted trees in it to grow tree canopy and create more shade for your neighborhood!

Why do we need the Free Street Trees program? 

The Free Street Trees program plants in neighborhoods with the fewest trees to increase overall canopy and to shade the hottest areas of the city – the streets themselves. Urban Forestry contractors plant, water, mulch, and weed over 1,000 new trees within planting strips annually. This work is part of the our investment in green infrastructure for areas with the highest need, supporting a better quality of life for all. 

Seeking Nominations for the 2026 Bill Naito Awards 

Each year, Urban Forestry gives Bill Naito Community Trees Awards to a group and an individual whose volunteer work has enhanced Portland's urban forest and inspired others to recognize the beauty and benefits of trees. This award was created in honor of civic leader Bill Naito. Since 1997, Urban Forestry has given out 47 awards to deserving community members and organizations. Last year, we honored Dr. Vivek Shandas and Morning Star Baptist Church for their amazing work supporting trees and the well-being of our urban forest.

If you know someone who is doing incredible work in the community, consider submitting a nomination for them by September 1, 2026, for this year’s award. 

Upcoming Events

Support Outreach with Urban Forestry at Community Events

Saturday, July 12, 7:30am to 12:30pm
Pier Park (10325 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97203)

Sunday, August 2, 10:30am to 4:30pm
McCoy Park (4677 N Trenton St, Portland, OR 97203)

Summer is the time for community gatherings and happenings! It’s also the busiest season for our outreach efforts, and we cannot do it alone. We are looking for volunteers to join us for outreach at upcoming community events. This is a great way to connect with fellow Portlanders about trees and the environment, share information about Urban Forestry’s programs, and help grow support for our mission. No prior experience needed — just a welcoming attitude and a willingness to engage with your community.

Neighborhood Tree Stewards Panel Discussion and Meet & Greet

July 25, 2026, 11:30am to 1:30pm
The Portland Building (1120 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR, 97204)

This year’s Neighborhood Tree Stewards (NTS) class is already more than halfway done, and Stewards are ready to get out into their communities to support the urban forest. As is tradition, the final class will consist of a celebration and panel discussion at the Portland Building on July 25, and you are invited!

Panelists will include community organizations, Tree Teams, and NTS alumni. They will share about their current projects to grow, protect, and preserve the urban forest. After the panel, there will be opportunity to ask questions, mingle, and enjoy a catered lunch.

This opportunity is open to NTS alums and the general public. Space is limited, so sign-up today!

Stewardship Workday at Morning Star Baptist Church

Saturday, August 8, 2026, 8:30am to 12:30pm
Morning Star Baptist Church (4927 NE 55th Ave, Portland, OR 97218)

Join Depave and Urban Forestry for a morning of stewardship work at Morning Star Baptist Church. Morning Star, in collaboration with Depave and Friends of Trees, planted 33 trees in the new green space behind the church, along with garden plots, raised beds, and many native plants. Volunteers will get the opportunity to support this neighborhood greening project by watering, weeding, mulching, and pruning the trees and plants at the site.

Other News

Urban Forestry is Hiring a Senior Tree Planting Specialist

The Tree Planting Program with Urban Forestry is growing! We're hiring a Senior Tree Planting Specialist. This position will serve the public by co-managing urban tree planting and establishment initiatives, including the Free Street Trees program. It will also lead our young tree structural pruning program, coordinating contractor work to prune up to 4,000 young trees each year. The Planting Specialist’s work will involve close collaboration with City work groups, contractors, community partners, and residents. Senior Tree Planting Specialists plan, implement, evaluate, and continuously improve programs that support Portland’s urban forest goals. The salary for this role is $81,556.80 - $104,062.40 annually. Applications are due July 20.

Share Your Thoughts on the Treebate Program from BES 

The Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) is proposing to sunset the Treebate Program, which provides a one-time credit on your City of Portland water, sewer, and stormwater bill for planting a tree in your yard. They are looking to receive comments from the public about this decision. You can share your thoughts during the comment period, which is open now until July 30.

Tree Growth in China's Great Green Wall

To stop the expansion of the Gobi and Taklamakan Deserts, China launched an effort in 1978 to plant billions of trees. The project is colloquially called the “Great Green Wall,” and has seen the planting of 66 billion trees since its inception. As the project’s processes improve and the trees age, researchers have noticed some interesting patterns in this artificial forest, one being that these trees seem to grow faster than those in natural forests.

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