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Tree Bark
News from Urban Forestry — All Trees, No Pulp • August 13, 2026
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Monitoring Portland's Tree Canopy Coverage
 Tracking tree canopy coverage, the amount of land shaded by trees, is an important tool for managing Portland's urban forest and a key measure of the city's environmental health. Monitoring change helps the City evaluate how effective expanded tree planting and green space investments are in offsetting losses from development, changing climate, and other threats. Since 2015, tree canopy coverage has dropped slightly from a high of 33.4% in 2015 to the current 32.4% and has held at this rate for the last five years.
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Where Will Free Trees Be Planted This Winter?
 Have you seen a white stripe on the curb in front of your house? You must live in one of these neighborhoods:
Beaumont-Wilshire, Brentwood-Darlington, Brooklyn, Grant Park, Hollywood, Hosford-Abernethy, Madison South, North Tabor, Rose City Park, Sullivan’s Gulch, Vernon, Woodstock
The white stripe means the planting space between the curb and sidewalk has been identified as a good spot for a street tree! Street trees are critically needed, climate-resilient infrastructure. But, as you may have noticed, not all neighborhoods have this protective canopy. In fact, while areas west of the Willamette River have 56% tree canopy, the east side (where most Portlanders live) has only 22%.
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Friends of Trees is Looking for Crew Leaders for this Year's Planting Season
 Urban Forestry and the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund are partnering with Friends of Trees to plant more than 400 trees across Portland this coming planting season. If you’re interested in meeting great people, learning about trees, and making a meaningful impact on our urban forest, becoming a Friends of Trees Crew Leader is a fantastic way to get involved.
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More Upcoming Events
 Livable Jade Bike Ride
Friday, August 21, 5:30 to 8pm
Portland Community College Southeast Campus (2305 SE 82nd Ave, Portland, OR 97206)
Join us for a family-friendly ride showing the traffic safety improvements, Heritage Trees, and affordable housing that are making the Jade District a livable home for everyone. This ride is a partnership between PBOT, Urban Forestry, BIKETOWN, and APANO, and representatives from each will speak at different stops along the way. Don't have a bike? Free BIKETOWN bikes will be available for attendees that need to borrow one. Helmets are recommended for this ride.
We'll meet at the PCC Southeast bike racks, then take a relaxed five-mile ride around the neighborhood. Meet at 5:30pm, ride at 6:00pm.
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Stewardship Workday at Morning Star Baptist Church
Thursday, August 27, 9:30am to 1:30pm
Morning Star Baptist Church (4927 NE 55th Ave, Portland, OR 97218)
Last year, with funding from Portland Clean Energy Benefits Fund, Morning Star collaborated with Depave and Friends of Trees to plant 33 trees in the new green space behind the church, along with garden plots and raised beds. Volunteers will get the opportunity to support this neighborhood greening project by watering, weeding, mulching, and pruning the trees.
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Other News
Urban Forestry is Hiring Two Urban Forest Science Specialists
We are seeking two Urban Forest Science Specialists to serve as core members of our Urban Forest Science team. These positions play a critical leadership role in providing the data and information that guide Urban Forestry's programs, investments, and strategic direction. Programs under the Urban Forest Science team include Tree Inventory, Heritage Trees, urban forest pest and pathogen response, and tracking tree survival, species performance, and canopy cover change. The salary for these roles is $81,556.80–$104,062.40 annually. Applications are due August 17, 2026.
Permitting & Development is Hiring Three Supervisors
The City of Portland’s Permitting & Development–Tree Permitting Division is seeking three experienced and highly motivated Supervisors to lead key functional sections within the division. These positions oversee: Development & Capital Improvement Projects, Non-Development Tree Permitting, and Compliance & Enforcement.
Supervisors play a crucial role in the consistent application and interpretation of tree regulations, ensuring effective customer service, program oversight, and equitable enforcement. The salary for these roles is $102,856.00–$133,619.20 annually. Applications are due August 17, 2026.
Tips for Supporting Trees During Hot Weather
As the temperature remains high this summer, it is crucial for our community to come together and ensure the well-being of the city’s beloved trees. Trees are not only a vital part of Portland's aesthetic charm; they also play a critical role in combating climate change and providing essential shade and habitat. Urban Forestry has some tips for tree care during hot weather so they can thrive no matter the temperature.
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