Environmental Services requests public comment on proposal to sunset the Treebate Program

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What is the Treebate Program?

The Treebate Program was established in 2009 to encourage residential tree planting by offering one-time credits of up to $50 per tree on water, sewer, and stormwater utility bills. The program is intended to support urban canopy growth, stormwater management, and watershed health.

What is being proposed?

Environmental Services is proposing to:

• Retire the Treebate program following the FY 25-26 application period.
• Repeal Administrative Rule ENB-4.23 effective October 1, 2026.

The proposal to retire the Treebate program and repeal Administrative Rule ENB-4.23 reflects the development and advancement of other, more cost-effective and comprehensive tree-planning initiatives. The bureau's decision to retire the Treebate program acknowledges the following:

• Other City-wide tree-planting programs and requirements now exist that provide broader community reach with a lower administrative burden that reach significantly more residents and result in more trees planted each year. Such programs include Portland Parks and Recreation (Parks) Urban Forestry programs, Environmental Services natural systems restoration work, and tree planting required through development review and permitting.
• The Treebate program supported the planting of a relatively small number of trees annually, tree species that were smaller in size and canopy coverage and had a lower chance of survival. As an example:
  • Treebate issued 3,733 credits over 13 years, averaging about 287 trees per year. By comparison, Urban Forestry's Yard Tree Giveaway has provided more than 11,700 trees over eight years, averaging about 1,463 trees per year.
  • Urban Forestry's Yard Tree Giveaway also better supports long-term environmental benefits. In 2024, two-thirds of the 2,023 trees given away were either large-form, evergreen, or species that are native to the Willamette Valley.

What are the anticipated impacts?

While it is important to acknowledge the success of the Treebate program, it is equally important for Environmental Services to retire programs when they have fulfilled their intended goal and are no longer sustainable. The proposal to retire the Treebate program and repeal Administrative Rule ENB-4.23 does just that and reflects how this program provided a foundation to advance more cost-effective, comprehensive, and expansive tree-planning initiatives.

Environmental Services does not anticipate the proposal to retire the Treebate program and repeal Administrative Rule ENB-4.23 will substantially impact City resources as summarized below:

• Environmental Impact. Trees provide well-documented benefits for habitat, stormwater management, water quality, cooling, and climate resilience. While Treebate has supported these outcomes, other, more sustainable tree planning programs and requirements now deliver tree-planting benefits more effectively.
• System Impact. Treebate averages about 287 trees planted per year, generally consisting of tree species that are smaller with marginal system benefits. Ending the Treebate program is unlikely to meaningfully reduce new tree planting because other city requirements and programs already drive planting activity.
• Bureau Resource Impact. Treebate had no dedicated budget but rather resulted in a negligible amount of lower sewer utility revenue. Retiring the Treebate program removes an administrative burden as it is no longer cost-effective to continue in its current form.
• Public Impact. Other tree-planning programs, such as Parks's free yard tree program, reach more residents, have lower administrative burden, and result in annual tree plantings that exceed what is possible through the Treebate. Under the unified Public Works, Parks and Environmental Services will continue coordinated monitoring to ensure planting programs meet city goals and regulatory targets.

When would this change take effect?

The repeal of Administrative Rule ENB-4.23 and retirement of the Treebate Program will be effective October 1, 2026.

Submit a public comment

Environmental Services will accept public comments from June 29 at 8 a.m. to July 29 at 5 p.m.

Comments can be submitted by email to: [email protected]

Comments must be received by 5 p.m. on July 29, 2026.

Questions or additional information

For questions or more information, please contact the Environmental Services Codes, Rules, and Manuals Team at: [email protected]