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Free trees, planting and watering for schools from Portland Parks & Recreation’s Urban Forestry.
Learning Landscapes: Trees for Schools Application
Program Overview
Urban Forestry's Learning Landscapes program helps students of all ages plant trees at their schools—turning schoolyards into greener, healthier places to learn and play. Planting trees at schools delivers essential tree services -- cleaner air for students, cooler playgrounds, shade from harmful UV rays, and better mental focus. With support from our professional tree care team, students, teachers, and volunteers come together for a fun, hands-on outdoor experience that builds connection to nature, community, and their school. This program is free for schools and tree planting takes place between November and March each year.
As part of the program, Urban Forestry will:
- Collaborate with your school to create a tree planting plan
- Provide all trees and necessary supplies
- Work with the students to properly plant the trees
- Organize and train volunteers for planting day
- Provide three years of tree care, including watering, mulching, and weeding
- Deliver educational opportunities about trees before planting day
Tree planting is funded by the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF).
Eligibility
Any school within Portland city limits is eligible, provided they are willing to commit to:
- Secure all permissions from school officials to plant trees
- Complete a site visit with an Urban Forestry arborist to create a planting plan
- Plant a minimum of 12 trees
Timeline
After you fill out the application, a Program Manager will reach out to your school to set up a site walk with school officials in spring. Urban Forestry will create a site design and send along a draft to be approved by all school officials before summer break. After all approvals are granted, we set a date for a student planting from November through March. The program manager will begin to coordinate the student planting event at the end of summer, before the following school year.
Sign Up
Interested in trees for your school? Make sure your school is eligible and fill out an application!
Learning Landscapes: Trees for Schools Application
Volunteer with Learning Landscapes!
Interested in volunteering at a Learning Landscapes planting?
- Go to the PP&R Volunteer Site and click on "Urban Forestry" in the programs section. There you will find "Learning Landscapes" opportunities that are available throughout the year. New events are posted starting in October.
- Click on a listed event, and follow the steps needed to sign up on the volunteer website.
- Please note, to volunteer at a Learning Landscapes event, you must complete a Background Check Consent form. You will receive confirmation from Volunteer.Services@PortlandOregon.gov once your background check form is processed and cleared for signing up at events.
Learning Landscapes Archive Files
- School Tree Walk Guides
- Learning Landscapes Typology Design Ideas
- Learning Landscapes sample site designs 2014
- Learning Landscapes Report FY16-FY17
Frequently Asked Questions
Why trees?
Trees provide essential services for all Portlanders. Planting trees helps cool down our neighborhoods and make living and working in Portland more comfortable during the hottest months. They also clean the air, buffer noise, and improve our mental and physical health. On top of all of this, they provide year-round beauty.
Can I use this program to fulfill the planting requirements of a permit?
Yes! Trees from this program may be used to meet the replanting requirement of a Tree Removal and Replanting Permit. While we don't perform the tree removal itself, once the dead or dying tree has been taken out, we can provide and plant the required replacement tree. However, getting a tree from us does not automatically fulfill tree removal/replant permit requirements. Please follow all instructions and requirements as specified in your permit. It is the permit holder's responsibility to complete the permit paperwork.
Please note that trees from this program cannot be used for plantings required as part of a building permit or for corrections required as part of a tree code violation. If you have any questions about your permit, contact Trees@PortlandOregon.gov or call (503) 823-8733.
How many trees will be planted?
We plant a minimum of 12 trees, but you can request more.
Can I choose the types of trees?
Because of nursery availability and the number of trees we plant, we can't guarantee specific species for each property, but when you sign up, you're welcome to share your preferences.
What kinds of trees do you plant?
We focus on planting large, native, and evergreen trees wherever possible. These trees provide the most benefits to Portlanders. Large trees grow tall, live longer, and give more back to the community. Their large canopies create shade that helps cool neighborhoods in the summer and can improve public health while lowering energy use. They also clean the air, soak up rainwater, and support wildlife. Evergreen trees continue to provide benefits all year long. Because large trees last for many decades, they are a smart, long-term investment. In locations with height limits, like under high-voltage power lines, we plant smaller trees.
How many students can participate in planting trees?
It depends on how many trees we are planting, but usually we can plant with several classrooms. We have a maximum ratio of five students to one Urban Forestry staff member or trained tree planting volunteer.
When will the trees be planted?
Trees will be planted each year, between November and March.
Who pays for this?
This program is primarily funded by the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) with contributions from the Tree Planting and Preservation Fund (TPPF), the Parks Operations Levy, and the General Fund.PCEF is funded by a 1% surcharge on large corporate retailers and is used for projects that reduce carbon emissions, create economic opportunity, and help make our city more resilient to climate change. TPPF is a dedicated city fund that collects fees from developers for removing trees during construction to finance new tree planting.
Who will take care of the trees?
You will not have to do anything for your new tree for the first three years! Urban Forestry contractors will plant, water, weed and prune the new trees until they are established. After the third summer, the trees will be the property owner's responsibility to maintain.
Why do you provide three years of care?
Young trees need help to get established. That's why we provide three years of free care to support their healthy growth.
In the first two years, our contractors water each tree once a week from May through October. In the third year, watering shifts to every other week. We also apply mulch to hold moisture and remove weeds around the base.
During the third year, an arborist will visit to provide structural pruning—setting the tree up for a strong, healthy future with fewer maintenance needs.
After three years, most trees are well-established and need very little summer water or care. This care is provided at no cost to property owners to give each tree the best chance to thrive.
What happens if the tree dies?
If the tree dies within the first three years, we'll remove and replace it for free.
Why do you mark utilities?
We are required to mark utilities before digging. We also want to make sure that we place your new tree far enough from underground utilities that it is unlikely to cause problems as it grows.
What other tree planting programs does Urban Forestry have?
We have many programs under Urban Forestry. Here is a list of all our programs:
What is Urban Forestry?
Urban Forestry is a division of Portland Parks & Recreation. Urban Forestry's mission is to manage and ensure Portland's urban forest infrastructure for current and future generations. Urban Forestry is committed to working with property owners, residents, contractors, and communities to enhance the urban forest and optimize the services that trees provide us all.