Do you love trees? So do we! Come join us and help take care of Portland’s biggest and best trees. We spend our days getting to know Portland’s Heritage Trees, reviewing Heritage Tree nominations, and touring the city looking for the next amazing tree.
About Portland Heritage Tree Program
The Heritage Tree Program recognizes and celebrates grand trees of Portland. Heritage Trees stand out among the urban forest for their outstanding size, age, historical, and horticultural significance. Once designated, a Heritage Tree enjoys the highest level of protection by City Code and cannot be removed without consent of the Urban Forestry Commission.
Each year the Heritage Tree Committee reviews nominations from across the City and makes recommendations to City Council. The program is managed by Portland Parks Urban Forestry and the Heritage Tree Committee, which consists of volunteers who love to look at, think, and talk about trees. The Heritage Tree Committee members work together to review nominations, monitor tree conditions, and talk to the public about Heritage Trees.
Benefits of serving on Heritage Tree Committee:
- Spend time outdoors with Portland’s most impressive trees
- Learn how to measure and assess trees
- Opportunity to review and vote in new Heritage Trees each year
- Learn about Portland’s urban tree canopy
Committee Membership includes:
- Commitment to a two-year appointment
- Commitment to 60 hours of volunteer time per calendar year
- Attending meetings and field tours. Meetings are held, on average, every two months. Field tours occur approximately twice a year and occur on weekdays from 8 am – 3:30 pm.
Committee Members spend their time:
- Attending meetings and field tours
- Maintaining and writing meeting minutes, policies, and bylaws
- Assisting with updating tree measurements
- Evaluating nominated trees for fit into the program
- Becoming familiar with the 300 trees in the system by visiting trees independently and reviewing program materials
- Participating in educational events on Heritage Trees alongside Urban Forestry staff
- Responding to some public inquiries on the program
Download and Complete Application
By mail:
Heritage Tree Program
10910 N. Denver Ave
Portland, OR 97217