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If you’re struggling to pay for tree care on your private property, we may be able to help. Find out if you qualify for tree care assistance and learn how to apply.
Applications are processed in 1–2 weeks
Tree Care Assistance Overview
Our new Tree Care Assistance program provides income-qualified property owners within the City of Portland with financial assistance for the maintenance and care of existing trees on single-family, owner-occupied private property. The program helps reduce the cost and burden associated with tree care for lower-income households and improves the health and resilience of private property trees.
Tree care offered includes a tree health assessment, pruning, removal, stump removal, and wood waste removal. The Tree Care Assistance Program is funded by the Portland Clean Energy Fund.
Do I qualify for tree care assistance?
To qualify, you must:
- Own and live in a single-family home
- Need care for a tree on your private property (not a street tree)
- Be enrolled in the Portland Water Bureau's Bill Discount Program
Apply for Tree Care Assistance
How does it work?
Step 1: Tree Care Assistance Application
Complete the Tree Care Assistance Application. We will review your application within 10 business days.
- If you qualify, we will reach out to schedule a tree health assessment.
- If you don't qualify, we will reach out for additional information or to let you know that you do not qualify for this program.
Step 2: Tree Removal and Pruning Permits
If the tree work you are requesting requires a permit, we will need to get those approved before we can move forward with tree care. Tree permits are free, and we can help you apply if needed.
Step 3: Tree Health Assessment
An Urban Forestry Tree Inspector will visit your property to perform a tree health assessment and recommend tree care. We will review the recommended tree care with you and have you sign a participant agreement.
Step 3: City Contractor Completes Work
We will assign your tree care to a City contractor. They will schedule a time with you to visit your property to assess staffing and equipment needed to complete the tree care and provide us with a quote. Once we review and accept their quote, the contractor will schedule a time with you to complete the tree care.
Step 4: Tree Care Acceptance
Once the tree care is complete, we will visit your property to ensure that the tree care completed by the contractor matches the work order requested.
- If the work is complete, we will accept the work and pay the contractor directly—you don't have to pay anything out of pocket!
- If the work is not complete, we will have the contractor return to complete the work request.
Step 5: Tree Replanting
If a tree removal is included in your tree care, you will be required to replace the tree on your private property. We can help get you a free tree from Urban Forestry's tree planting programs.
Have questions about the Portland Water Bureau Bill Discount program?
Please call the Water Bureau Customer Service at 503-823-7770 or email: pwbcustomerservice@portlandoregon.gov. The Water Bureau provides application assistance!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the City offering tree care for private property?
Urban Forestry received funding from the Portland Clean Energy Fund to create the Private Property Tree Care Assistance Program. This program aims to decrease the burden of tree ownership and provide tree care assistance to lower-income homeowners.
What is the income limit to qualify?
To qualify, you must be enrolled in the Portland Water Bureau's Financial Assistance Program. Their threshold to participate is 60% Area Median Income (AMI). Use the AMI Calculator to see if you qualify.
How do I sign up for the Portland Water Bureau's Financial Assistance program?
There are several options:
- Complete the Portland Water Bureau's online application
- Ask us to mail you a printed application by contacting the Portland Water Bureau at PWBCustomerService@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-7770.
- Make an appointment with one of the Portland Water Bureau's Community Partners who can assist you with the application process
Can I get help completing the Portland Water Bureau's Financial Assistance application?
Yes! The Water Bureau partners with eight Community Service Centers that can help you apply for the financial assistance program and access other social services.
What kind of tree care is included in the program?
Eligible trees will receive a health and risk assessment by a City Tree Inspector, who may recommend the following types of tree care:
- Pruning
- Permitted dead or dying tree removal
- Ash tree removal, due to the threat of the Emerald Ash Borer in Portland
- Elm tree removal, due to Dutch Elm Disease
- Stump and wood waste removal for removed trees
Who decides what kind of tree care I can receive?
A City Tree Inspector will assess the health and risk of eligible trees and recommend what tree care the City can provide.
Who performs the tree care?
The tree care will be performed by a City-contracted arborist company.
Can you help maintain my street trees?
This program only provides tree care for trees on private property. Urban Forestry is beginning a program to care for Portland's public street trees over the coming years. However, property owners are still responsible for maintaining trees located on their property and on the adjacent street planting area (the right-of-way) as outlined in the City of Portland's Tree Code, Title 11. For any questions about the Tree Code or rules or regulations around trees, please contact us at trees@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-8733. We are here to help.
Do I need a permit for the tree care?
Maybe, and if so, the Tree Care Assistance staff can help you apply. For private property trees, a free removal permit is needed for trees 12 inches in diameter (measured at 4.5 feet above the ground) and larger. See How to Measure Trees for details. Private property trees of any size may require a permit for pruning and removal of certain trees in some environmental overlay zones and plan districts. See the Overlay Zone Map for directions on finding the Overlay Zone and Plan District, based on address. Reach out to Trees@PortlandOregon.gov or call (503) 823-8733 with any questions about tree permits.
Who is responsible for replanting a new tree?
Private property tree removal permits require replanting, and the property owner is responsible for replanting. The Private Tree Care Assistance Program can refer program participants to one of the Urban Forestry Tree Planting or Giveaway Programs that can satisfy this requirement. See Private Property Tree Replacement for more information on tree replanting requirements.
Who pays for this program?
The Private Property Tree Care Assistance Program is funded by the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF). The PCEF partnership with Urban Forestry provides funding to plant at least 15,000 new trees over five years, reduce tree care costs for Portlanders, expand community education, and open doors to new careers in the tree-care industry.
Approved by voters in 2018, the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund invests in community-led and community-centered projects that reduce carbon emissions, create economic opportunity, and help make our city more resilient as we face a changing climate.
Do I need to pay anything out of pocket?
This program will cover the cost of the recommended tree care and pay the contractor directly for the work.