Better Living Through Trees

Visitors, In-laws, new residents – One of the first things you’ll hear newcomers to Portland talk about is how green our city is. It’s the trees (and maybe, just a little, the rain).

As Portland continues to become a destination to live, work and visit, we’re going to struggle to add density and continue to keep the things that make our city an appealing location to so many people.

Friends of Trees is currently partnering with a coalition of neighbors in the Eastmoreland neighborhood to save three giant sequoias, each over a 100 years old. Earlier this year, Steve Melkerson of Caliber Homes, reworked his plans on a multi-family project in the Hawthorne district to preserve a unique paradox walnut tree.

Outside the zero-sum thinking that pits trees against density, we need to think how to build for Trees AND Development.

Eli Spevak of Orange Splot, builds new communities with trees in mind. Learn more about Eli’s work and new ways to add density without sacrificing quality of life on his website. Discover how Orange Splot builds communities with trees in mind in the video below.