How green is Portland’s tree canopy?

The Oregonian followed up this morning on some comments made last week at city council by Urban Forestry Commissioners regarding Portland’s need to plant more large trees and fewer ornamentals.

Commissioner Dan Saltzman expressed particular interest in this, using a follow-up question to allow the presenters more time to explain.

The story also quotes an updated and smaller total cost for the Citywide Tree Project (CTP): $1-1.5 million.

And now for an excerpt quote from Friends of Trees Board President Meryl Redisch:

Meryl Redisch, a forestry member and executive director of the Audubon Society of Portland, said she was surprised that Portland’s leafy reputation doesn’t match its performance. 

“I felt that way when I arrived here from Salt Lake City and Salt Lake’s in the desert,” Redisch said. “I was expecting more, and when I say more, from my perspective, I was expecting more maintenance and care of trees.”

The entire story can be read online, including about 20 comments.

Additional city council comments from last week’s meeting and the entire proceeding on video can be found here.

–Toshio Suzuki