Arbor Day in Portland, Oregon

The holiday Arbor Day has been celebrated annually in the American city of Portland, Oregon for approximately 135 years. Historically celebrated in April, the city has commemorated Arbor Day in October since 2019 because the "increasingly hot dry summers make it more difficult for trees planted in April to succeed", according to KOIN.[1][2] In addition to hosting tree planting events, the city distributes free yard trees to residents.[2] Some activities have been billed as Arbor Week or Arbor Month celebrations.[3][4]

History

According to the City of Portland's website, Arbor Day has been celebrated locally since 1889.[5] In 2019, Street Roots said, "This is the first year Portland is celebrating Arbor Day in October. It was moved from April because, due to climate change, trees planted in spring are no longer faring as well as trees planted between October and March, when there is more rain."[6] In 2025, the Portland Observer said, "Each year, Portland Arbor Day moves to a different neighborhood to highlight the city's diverse tree canopy and recognize local efforts to grow and care for it."[7]

Activities and locations

In 2007, students planted trees at an Arbor Day celebration at Lent Elementary in the southeast Portland part of the Lents neighborhood.[8]

The 2010, an Arbor Day celebration was held at West Powellhurst Elementary School in southeast Portland's Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood.[9] Several events and activities were held for Arbor Month in 2014.[10] The Arbor Day Festival was held at the farmers' market in the South Park Blocks. In addition to tree-themed activities, Portland Parks & Recreation presented the Bill Naito Community Trees Award.[3] The 2017 and 2018 events were held at Mt. Scott Park in southeast Portland's Mt. Scott-Arleta neighborhood.[11] The 2017 event had award ceremonies, botanical printmaking, bucket truck rides, live music, an ecological scavenger hunt, tree climbing demonstrations, and tree giveaways.[12] The 2019 event was held at East Holladay Park in the northeast Portland part of the Hazelwood neighborhood.[6][13]

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Arbor Day celebrations were held virtually.[14][15] The 2021 event was held at Lents Park in the Lents neighborhood.[16] On Arbor Day in April 2022, a tree outside Portland State University's Branford Price Millar Library was designated an Oregon Heritage Tree.[17] In April 2023, students at Tucker Maxon School in southeast Portland planted trees to celebrate the holiday.[18] In October, Arbor Day celebrations were held at McCoy Park.[19] The city's 2024 event was held at Glenfair Park in the northeast Portland part of the Glenfair neighborhood.[1][20] Twelve trees were planted in the park and 100 more from the Yard Tree Giveaway team were distributed to attendees. The event also featured tree-themed arts and crafts, bucket truck rides, and face painting.[21] The 2025 event was held at Sacajawea Head Start in northeast Portland's Cully neighborhood.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Portland's October Arbor Day aims to help tree canopy". KOIN.
  2. ^ a b "Portland Parks Bureau Determined To Bring More Green To City's East Side". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on 2024-11-09. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  3. ^ a b Duvander, Jenny (2014-04-04). "Do more than hug a tree: Arbor Week April 6-12". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  4. ^ Hottman, Sara (2013-03-28). "Portland Parks rolls out Arbor Month with community events throughout April". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2026-01-10. Retrieved 2026-02-23. With all the national recognition for Portland's urban forest, Portland Parks & Recreation has upped the ante on its own celebration, expanding April's Arbor Week to Arbor Month.
  5. ^ "Portland Arbor Day Tree Planting 2024 | Portland.gov". City of Portland, Oregon. 2024-10-12. Archived from the original on 2026-01-10. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ^ a b Green, Emily (2019-10-11). "Portland part of global tree planting movement". Street Roots. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  7. ^ a b "Portland Celebrates a Tree-mendous 2025 Arbor Day". Portland Observer. 2025-11-07. ISSN 2997-3910. OCLC 9286929. Archived from the original on 2025-12-11. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  8. ^ "Lent Elementary hosts citywide Arbor Day event amidst 100 new trees". East PDX News. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  9. ^ 2010:
  10. ^ 2014:
  11. ^ "Arbor Day celebration returns to Mt. Scott Park". East PDX News. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  12. ^ 2017:
  13. ^ 2019:
  14. ^ "Portland Urban Forestry Marks 45 Years as Tree City USA". City of Portland, Oregon. 2022-04-11. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ^ "Portland Arbor Day 2020" (PDF). Portland Parks & Recreation. October 2020.
  16. ^ "Lents Park hosts Portland's 2021 'Arbor Day' celebration". East PDX News. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  17. ^ 2022:
  18. ^ "Portland students plant trees to celebrate Arbor Day". KATU. 2023-04-29. Archived from the original on 2023-05-13. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  19. ^ "October Events" (PDF). North Peninsula Review. October 2023. p. 6.
  20. ^ 2024:
  21. ^ "Portland celebrates Arbor Day 2024 with tree planting and free tree giveaways". KATU. 2024-10-12. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
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