Where will Free Street Trees be planted this winter

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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%.

Urban Forestry uses tree canopy and economic data to determine priority service areas for tree planting and care, education, and community partnerships. This focuses resources where they will provide the greatest services to more vulnerable residents. Prioritizing tree plantings in these areas is about fairness, health, and ensuring every Portland neighborhood is a great place to live.

If you've got that white stripe, Urban Forestry contractors will plant new street trees this winter and care for them by pruning, watering, and mulching for the next tree years. R The best part? This is all provided for FREE, with funding from the Portland Clean Energy Benefits Fund (PCEF).

Qualifying planting strips are at least 4 feet wide, with no conflicting underground utilities. Trees planted beneath high-voltage powerlines will be smaller-sized to avoid touching them. The diverse tree species are selected specifically to be:

• Low maintenance
• Climate resilient for hotter, drier weather
• Friendly for pollinators and wildlife
• The largest sized tree for the planting space

That means they're the longest living, best performing, hardest working, largest growing trees for the space - and they will help to protect the neighborhood from detrimental heat, for generations to come.

Even so, property owners have the right to opt-out of the trees being planted! Letters with information about how to do so will be sent out this month. Otherwise, look for all the new trees planted in these neighborhoods this winter!

Check out the Free Street Trees website or contact Urban Forestry if you have any questions. 503-823-4025 or [email protected]"