Boxed chocolate is out, Gift Trees say ‘I love you’

Crew Leaders Amber and Byron Clayton never stray far from each other at plantings, like this one last month along the I-205 Multi-Use Path. (Chijo Takeda)

This year, love each other and the Earth by giving Friends of Trees Gift Trees for Valentine’s Day.

For a donation of just $35, Friends of Trees will plant a young native tree in honor of a loved one and send a gift acknowledgement card in their name. It’s a great cause and a fun, green alternative to the standard Valentine’s Day fare. One single tree costs $35, and a grove of six young native trees costs $100.

Gift Trees are planted in the Collins Sanctuary in Forest Park during one of two annual Gift Trees plantings. All who give or receive Gift Trees for Valentine’s Day this year will be invited to plant their trees at the planting on March 28. Because nothing says I love you quite like getting your hands dirty with your sweetheart!

“Trees are much more lasting than jewelry,” said Steve Smith at Friends of Trees’ December Gift Trees planting. He and his wife Kelsey Wirtzfeld plant Gift Trees together each year in honor of their marriage. Both look forward to visiting the trees as they grow and seeing them provide food and shelter for wildlife in Forest Park.

In addition to slowing climate change and reducing air and water pollution, Gift Trees restore the Collins Sanctuary, a legacy from the Collins Family Foundation to Portland area residents. First given to the Oregon Parks Foundation, the land was purchased by Metro in 2008. Now, through Friends of Trees’ partnership with Metro and the Audubon Society of Portland, the sanctuary is being restored.

For all who want to plant trees on Valentine’s weekend itself, volunteers are welcome at both of Friends of Trees’ plantings scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 13. The new Friends of Trees mascot will offer valentines to planters at the Boise, Eliot, Humboldt and King planting, which begins at 9 a.m. at Friends of Trees’ office, at 3117 NE ML King Jr. Blvd.

Friends of Trees’ Gift Trees program is part of its Green Space Initiative, a program that guides volunteers in restoring green spaces throughout the Portland-Vancouver metro area. Friends of Trees’ Neighborhood Trees program offers high-quality street and yard trees at bargain prices and helps neighbors plant their trees together at weekend community events.

Since 1989, Friends of Trees’ thousands of volunteers have planted more than 380,000 trees and native plants. To learn more or to order Gift Trees, visit www.FriendsofTrees.org/GiftTrees or call Melissa at 503-282-8846 ext. 23.

By Teri Ruch, communications director for Friends of Trees: 503-282-8846 ext. 17; [email protected]