PSU's towering European Copper Beech is Heritage Tree #54. photo by Brooke Jones
Portland's Heritage Trees article by Zoë Sandvigen
Portland is known for being one of the greenest cities in America as one of the first places to ban plastic bags while using 20% more renewable energy than the national average. Portland’s air quality is also ranked in the top 25 for U.S. cities, and one the best for major metropolitan areas. Besides the abundance of appreciation for solar panels, recycling, efficient public transit, and a robust biking culture, Portland has another unique attribute making the city more green than anything—the trees. Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry manages the city’s foliage. To be more specific, this organizations looks after and cares for 210,000 street trees, 1.2 million park trees, and over 300 heritage trees. Portland’s Heritage Tree Program recognizes the cities most beautiful trees based on historical significance, age, and size. To be a tree in this program means to be protected by city code and invincible to removal without approval of the Urban Forestry Commission. Any tree, given the property owner’s consent, could be nominated to become a Heritage Tree; Portland City Council accepts nominated trees if they are significantly old, large, or unique, say, with particular horticultural interest or a rich history.
THE PACIFIC SENTINEL
7
