Reforesting Forest Grove

Reforesting 13th Place, Forest Grove

We’re hosting our first neighborhood trees planting event in Forest Grove on January 18th, 2025! We will be replacing street trees along 13th Place that were recently removed because of the infestation of emerald ash borer in the community.

Emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive and highly destructive beetle that infests and kills ash trees, was first located in Forest Grove in 2022. Since its introduction to Oregon, EAB has killed and caused the significant decline of ash trees in both urban and natural areas. To slow the invasive spread of EAB, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) collaborated to remove infested and dying ash trees, notably impacting neighborhoods in southeast Forest Grove.

Summer 2024 proved to be one of the hottest summer’s in Oregon history, setting the record for the hottest July ever recorded. With large, mature trees creating shade to cool communities removed, this Forest Grove community felt the tangible effects of canopy loss in their neighborhood. It leaves communities asking the question, what happens next when portions of the urban forest must be removed for the health of the overall urban canopy?

On January 18, 2025 Friends of Trees will host a community tree planting event replanting trees along the right-of-way on 13th Place in Forest Grove. The goal of this planting is to reestablish and plant a resilient tree canopy along 13th Place. This is a free event and a great chance to meet neighbors, learn tree planting techniques, and be an active part of local climate change mitigation!

Residents who qualify for free replacement tree(s) will receive communications via mail with instructions on how to choose their free replacement tree(s).

Return the sign-up mailer and you’ll be one step closer to choosing a city approved tree for the space. If you do not return the mailer, Friends of Trees will choose one for you; don’t worry we’ll pick a good one for you!

This event is made possible by Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF).