WHAT: Caring for Portland’s Heritage Trees Workshop – intro and walking tour
WHEN: Saturday, June 11th, 2011, 9 am to 12 pm
WHERE: Sabin Community Cooking Room at Whole Foods (NE 15th and Fremont)
COST: Program is free and open to the public
Register here with Autumn Montegna, Urban Forest Outreach Coordinator, or call 503-701-7622

The program begins with a quick introduction to the Heritage Tree program and the City’s work to preserve and maintain these grand old trees. Tree assessment kits will be passed out, along with coffee, tea, and snacks. The group will then break and reconvene four blocks away at NE 15th Ave. and Knott St.

This portion of the workshop will include a tour of Irvington’s heritage trees while learning inspection techniques from City Arborist Lou Phemister.

Trees are a tremendous asset to a city: they help clean air and water, provide shade and wildlife habitat, cool buildings and streets and, of course, are beautiful and improve property values in neighborhoods. But the city’s Heritage Trees are more than that. They are designated Heritage Trees for their age, size, historical association or horticultural value – but are also often deeply appreciated by neighbors as landmarks and important bird habitat, among other qualities.

Heritage Trees need citizen care and protection. This workshop will guide you – a citizen of Portland – to assist Urban Forestry by learning the skills needed to inspect heritage trees to ensure that they receive timely inspections and maintenance. The skills you learn can help you think about trees different and learn how to care for your own trees with an eye to the future.