Last year, Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) Urban Forestry division began planting new street trees throughout Montavilla as part of a program to increase the urban tree canopy. Contractors working for the City placed most of the new trees in the planting strip between the sidewalk and curb. This year, Urban Forestry expanded the tree planning program to incorporate areas with few trees on streets without sidewalks or curbs. People will still need to plant trees in the front of the property in an accessible space where City-paid watering crews and arborists can visit the tree for upkeep. Montavilla and nine other neighborhood residents have until October 31st to volunteer their property to host a free street tree by completing an online form.
Planting street trees in areas without discernible boundaries can be challenging, unlike past efforts that occurred in spaces designated for street-side greenery. When people volunteer to participate, crews working with Urban Forestry will determine the best planting location that avoids underground utilities, overhead lines, or placement that could inhibit future sidewalk construction plans. People can optionally state a tree species preference from the 2025 Trees for Residential Streets list. Still, the final selection is made based on availability and its potential to grow well in the space provided. The list contains most tree types with the ability to thrive in Portland’s changing climate. They are low-maintenance and drought-tolerant while also resisting blight from pests and disease.
Participants in the program receive multi-year support and have choices where crews plant their new trees. Contractors will water and prune trees during the critical first three years of growth. Then pruners will return at years five and ten to keep the tree growth healthy. People will also have options on where the free trees reside, subject to certain limitations. Urban Forestry staff will visit the property and mark the proposed planting locations with white spray paint based on the participant’s indicated locations. Then the resident can decline the planting or ask for a location change if it is not what they wanted.
The Urban Forestry planting season runs from November 15th to March 31st for people who sign up before October 31st. Residents on curb-less streets in the Brentwood Darlington, Centennial, Glenfair, Hazelwood, Lents, Powelhurst-Gilbert, Mill Park, Parkrose, Parkrose Heights, and Montavilla neighborhoods can participate. Adding trees is often attributed to increased mental and physical well-being, as well as improving the appearance of an area. Proponents of this expanded program hope it will make the dispersal of the urban tree canopy more equitable and accessible for all of Portland.
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