Portland arboretum featured in today’s Oregonian

Read Larry Bingham’s story about Portland’s unique linear arboretum in today’s Oregonian.

Designed Portland-style—for cyclists, pedestrians and anyone interested in trees—the Ainsworth Linear Arboretum has been growing steadily and quietly, like the young trees planted in it. In 2005, the arboretum had 37 species. Today it has 60.

The brain behind the branches of the two-mile long arboretum is Friends of Trees volunteer Jim Gersbach. During his nearly two decades of volunteering at Friends of Trees, Jim has been a board member, neighborhood coordinator, and crew leader, and he helps people choose which trees to buy for their homes.

Since 2005, he’s directed people to the Ainsworth Linear Arboretum to see some of those trees in person—and planted in a yard, as their tree will be.

“Even if you keep your car for a long time, you’re probably going to replace it in so many years,” Jim said. “But when you choose which tree to plant, you’re typically making a choice your great-grandchildren might be living with.”

Scroll through the trees before you stroll through the arboretum. Then add your name to the growing list of people buying trees this year at FriendsofTrees.org.

–TR