Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) has launched a bold initiative to plant over 1,000 free street trees across neighborhoods with limited tree canopy. The project, running through March 2025, aims to combat urban heat islands, promote environmental equity, and improve public health. Contractors will install trees in public rights-of-way, typically between sidewalks and roads, in areas where the lack of tree cover has left communities most vulnerable to extreme heat.
“Everyone, regardless of where we live, deserves safer, cleaner, healthier neighborhoods,” said PP&R Director Adena Long. “It’s a matter of public well-being. The Free Street Tree program is a step in the right direction.”
Southeast and Northeast Portland neighborhoods such as Kerns, Buckman, Foster-Powell, Kenton, King, Mt. Scott-Arleta, Piedmont, South Tabor, Wilkes, and Creston-Kenilworth are the focus of the program. These areas have significantly less tree canopy compared to other parts of Portland. West of the Willamette River, 56% of the city is covered by trees, while East Portland, home to 80% of the city’s residents, has only 21% canopy cover. On the hottest days, this disparity creates temperature differences of up to 20 degrees, which can be life-threatening for vulnerable populations.
“Trees are very important for improving the health, safety, and well-being for Portlanders. Not only do they function to cool spaces on hot summer days, but they play a vital role in improving human health,” said City Forester Jenn Cairo. “The Free Street Trees effort is one of several programs in action to improve the green infrastructure of our neighborhoods, over the next five years.”
PP&R’s Urban Forestry team will water, weed, and maintain the newly planted trees for three years to ensure their growth and longevity. Tree planting sites are chosen carefully to avoid utilities, maximize canopy coverage, and provide the greatest benefit to residents. The tree species chosen are climate-resilient and low-maintenance, aligning with Portland’s sustainability goals.
The Free Street Tree program is part of the broader Equitable Tree Canopy initiative, a community-centered effort funded by the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund. The program aims to plant at least 15,000 trees on public and private properties citywide. Beyond planting trees, the initiative focuses on community engagement, workforce development in tree maintenance, and fostering partnerships to support sustainable urban environments.
Urban tree canopy—the network of trees planted along streets, in parks, and on residential properties—is essential for healthy and vibrant communities. Trees reduce air pollution, lower temperatures, provide habitats for wildlife, and contribute to mental health and road safety. By expanding tree cover, the program seeks to address environmental inequities and make Portland more resilient to climate change.
Residents can also take advantage of free trees for private properties through Urban Forestry’s Yard Tree Giveaway program. Property owners can register until December 13, 2024, to receive free delivery of trees, including chestnuts, Oregon white oaks, ponderosa pines, and London planetrees. Each tree comes with mulch, watering supplies, and detailed planting instructions. Urban Forestry staff are available to assist in tree selection and answer questions in English and Spanish. Around 300 trees are still available for this season, offering residents another opportunity to contribute to the city’s canopy expansion.
“Trees are part of the very fabric of our city,” said Jenn Cairo. “They’re essential to keeping Portland green, healthy, and livable for generations to come.”
More information on the Free Street Tree program is available in multiple languages at portland.gov/trees/tree-planting/free-street-trees.
