Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry Expands Tree Planting with New Partners, Equity Focus

News Article

Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) Urban Forestry is launching a major expansion of its citywide tree planting efforts, supported by the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF).

(Portland, OR) -

Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) Urban Forestry is launching a major expansion of its citywide tree planting efforts, supported by the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF). Through the City of Portland's Equitable Tree Canopy program, Urban Forestry staff are partnering with 12 tree planting contractors and 13 community-based organizationsto plant thousands of trees-especially in neighborhoods most impacted by heat and lacking tree coverage.

This is the largest tree planting expansion in Portland's history, aiming to more than double annual plantings-from 3,500 to 10,000 trees per year by 2028. Over 6,700 trees are planned for planting this coming season, with a strong focus on east and north Portland.

This is the largest tree planting expansion in Portland's history, aiming to more than double annual plantings-from 3,500 to 10,000 trees per year by 2028. Over 6,700 trees are planned for planting this coming season, with a strong focus on east and north Portland.

Outreach is now underway to connect Portlanders with free trees, with this year's planting set to begin in fall. Interest forms are open for those interested in receiving a free tree, and additional opportunities will continue to roll out over the coming seasons. Tree care and support will be provided to help ensure long-term success.

"Partnerships with proven community organizations are key for Portland's overall growth, andits tree growth," says Priya Dhanapal, Deputy City Administrator for Public Works. "I'm pleased to see this collaboration with experienced, motivated groups which will help generations of Portlanders, as well as wildlife and the environment."

The 13 local organizations PP&R Urban Forestry staff are partnering with will help connect communities with free trees through multilingual, culturally relevant outreach.

"The Equitable Tree Canopy program is a win-win all around," said City Forester Jenn Cairo. "We're planting trees where Portlanders most need them, applying the expertise to help them thrive in hotter summers, putting PCEF funds to good use, and creating new City contracting opportunities for a broader cross-section of local businesses."

The 13 local organizations PP&R Urban Forestry staff are partnering with will help connect communities with free trees through multilingual, culturally relevant outreach.

A new $1.8 million partnership with the community nonprofit Friends of Trees will bring 750 new trees to the area this season, along with the care needed to help them thrive. The initiative also includes volunteer training and aims to build lasting community stewardship. Even more trees are expected to be planted in future seasons as the program grows beyond its first year.

"We're proud to help build climate resilience from the ground up," said Yashar Vasef, Executive Director of Friends of Trees. "This partnership connects communities with the trees they need, and with each other. It's about shade, clean air, and shared action."

PP&R Urban Forestry's free tree programsinclude options for homes, businesses, apartment complexes, and schools. Learn more and register on the Tree Planting program page.

About PP&R Urban Forestry

The mission of PP&R's Urban Forestry division is to manage and care for Portland's urban forest infrastructure. Our urban forest consists of 333,000 street trees, 1.2 million park trees, and about 2.9 million private property trees valued at over $9 billion. Some of the services that PP&R's Urban Forestry staff provide include creating and implementing the City's Urban Forest Plan; fostering community awareness and stewardship of trees; developing tree policies and programs; monitoring and assessing the urban forest; issuing permits for planting, pruning, and removal of public trees (and some trees on private property). PP&R's Urban Forestry staff are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to respond to tree emergencies on City property.

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