News Release: Construction begins on pilot project to expand Portland’s tree canopy

Press Release

Portland bureaus are using an innovative planting strategy to plant trees where they previously could not, bringing the benefits of trees to more Portlanders

Sidewalks stickers mark where future trees will be planted along the curb on SE Duke Street from SE 82nd to 94th avenues. Photos by PBOT.

(July 18, 2024) Beginning this month, City of Portland contractors will start construction on the first phase of the Trees in the Curb Zone pilot project. The project will repurpose underutilized parking spaces along SE Duke from 82nd Ave to 94th avenues to add space for 15 street trees. This part of the Lents neighborhood is noted for having few street trees and little space behind the curb to accommodate a tree. In addition to creating space and planting these new street trees, the City project will also fund a limited quantity of yard trees for properties along the street.

The project is being led by the Portland Bureau of Transportation, with funding from a Bureau of Environmental Services (BES)'s "Percent for Green" grant. Portland Parks & Recreation's (PP&R) Urban Forestry department is maintaining the trees. While the maintenance responsibility for street trees typically falls on the adjacent property owner, Urban Forestry staff will be taking on that responsibility for all trees planted as part of a special agreement for this pilot project.

"Finding new and creative ways to increase our tree canopy is essential for our city's resiliency as we experience the impacts of climate change," said Transportation Director Millicent Williams. "I'm proud of the partnerships created through the development of this project and look forward to seeing them, along with the trees, grow and thrive in the coming years."

"I'm pleased that our city bureaus are working together on this pilot project and delivering the benefits of trees to an area of Portland that is particularly vulnerable to our changing climate," said Environmental Services Director Dawn Uchiyama. "When we add natural infrastructure to urban spaces we get multiple benefits. Together we are creating a new kind of public space for trees to soak up rainwater, prevent flooding, provide cool shade and so much more."

The Portland Bureau of Transportation advises the public to expect construction impacts to SE Duke Street from 82nd to 94th avenues throughout July and August. Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry department staff will return in the fall and winter to plant the trees when the weather is more favorable for tree planting.

A map showing the locations and number of plantings per block for Phase One of the Trees in the Curb Zone Pilot Project.

Trees are part of the fabric of our city

Trees help keep Portland green and healthy. They offer shade; lower temperatures in homes and neighborhoods; provide wildlife habitat, beauty, and cleaner air; and help mitigate the effects of climate change. PP&R regularly plants new trees in neighborhoods with less tree canopy than others. Still, the Bureau's most recent study showed Portland's tree coverage has declined in recent years.

Importantly, in Portland, trees and the benefits they provide, are not evenly distributed. Some neighborhoods have up to 70% tree canopy cover, while other neighborhoods have as little as 5% canopy coverage. The dangerous heat waves in recent years have highlighted many of the cooling benefits of trees. Trees also help improve mental and physical health, safety, air quality, biodiversity, and stormwater management.

Construction of Phase One of Trees in the Curb Zone follows a year and a half of planning, community engagement, and engineering to develop a framework for this innovative tree planting pilot. In many parts of Portland, particularly in parts of East Portland that were developed before being annexed into the city, there often isn't enough space behind the curb to plant trees. More creative approaches are required to bring more trees to areas that need them. Phase Two site refinement is currently underway, focused on local streets near Lents and Bloomington Parks.

"Portland Parks & Recreation is proud to lend the expertise of our Urban Forestry staff to this important trial project," says PP&R Director Adena Long. "The City is working to improve the quality of life for all Portlanders, and collaboration is an important part of being successful."

"The Trees in the Curb Zone Pilot project is a great example of how transportation investments can center pedestrian safety, climate resilience and community connectivity (humans and nature) - all at the same time," said Micah Meskel of The Bird Alliance of Oregon. "The Bird Alliance of Oregon has long advocated for integration of green infrastructure, especially large form trees in the public right of way and we hope this PBOT project will serve as an example of how it can be done across the city."

An example of trees planted in the street about a decade ago on SE Hawthorne Boulevard. The Trees in the Curb Zone pilot planting areas are 2 to 3 times larger than the Hawthorne example, providing more soil volume and space for trees to grow larger. Photo by PBOT.

Community partnerships

Community members are invited to join a Pedalpalooza guided bike ride, hosted by PBOT and Depave, to visit planting locations for phases one and two of the project is on Wednesday, August 21 at 5 p.m. More info at Trees in the Curb Zone Pilot Tour - Calendar - Shift (shift2bikes.org)

The Bird Alliance of Oregon and the Backyard Habitat Certification Program (in partnership with the Columbia Land Trust) are working within the same geography to help nearby residents create habitat for native bugs and birds. Please contact Micah Meskel at [email protected] to learn more about additional resources that are available to nearby residents.

Visit the project website for updates: Trees in the Curb Zone Pilot Project | Portland.gov

Help shape the future of trees and tree care in Portland

The City of Portland is working with community members and regional agencies to create the Portland Urban Forest Plan. This plan will be the City's guide to preserving, planting, and caring for trees equitably and sustainably for the next 10 years. Would you like to see the City of Portland expand the Trees in the Curb Zone Pilot or use other innovative strategies to equitably distribute tree canopy? Share your feedback during upcoming activities for the Portland Urban Forest Plan.

Visit the project website and sign up for the email list to learn more.