Neighborhood Trees monitoring results are in!

By Kris Day

Thanks to the efforts of over 200 volunteer tree inspectors, Friends of Trees was able to collect tree health and size data on 5,896 trees last summer. For the second year in a row, trees planted through our Neighborhood Trees Program have displayed a survival rate of 97% during their first year in the ground. This is an exceptional measure of success, particularly when you consider that Friends of Trees planted almost 5,000 trees last season in Portland alone.

Other highlights include:

Of 4,782 first season trees monitored, 86% were new street trees, 12% were new yard trees, and 2% were replacement trees.

Trees of 51 genera were planted, represented by 134 species or cultivars.

89 species had 100% survivability. Of the 45 species that had some mortality, 23 species had only one individual tree that didn’t survive.

Trees in their second season displayed a 9.6% mortality rate, 5.6% higher than their first year in the ground.

Two-year old trees averaged 1.99” diameter at 6” above ground level, 10.65’ tall, and 5.55’ wide.

Three-year old trees lost an additional 10.1% of their numbers during the past year, though those that survived grew in diameter at 6” above ground level by .5”, increased in height by 1.47’, and expanded in width by 1.07’.

For those who are into the nitty gritty, click here to download a copy of this year’s report.

Friends of Trees’ monitoring efforts were originally undertaken to meet funding requirements; however, the program has been slowly growing to enable us to assess the survivability, growth and benefits of our trees over time. We are looking forward to continuing to track our current measures of success and to branch into new studies in the coming years. If you would like to get involved, sign up on our Volunteer Interest Form and stay posted as we begin monitoring activities in early summer.

–Day is Neighborhood Trees and Green Space Initiative Senior Specialist for Friends of Trees.