Tree Care events scheduled for spring

By Andy Meeks

As the 2009-10 planting season comes to an end and we look back at the thousands of native trees and shrubs planted by the Green Space Initiative program, we are already planning the next step in these watershed restoration projects: ensuring viability and survival.

The plentiful rain and sun in Western Oregon create prime growing conditions for all sorts of vegetation—and not necessarily the beneficial kind.

Invasive species that grow quickly and out-compete native vegetation—think English ivy, Himalayan Blackberry and Clematis, for example—also have negative benefits for soil retention, biodiversity and water quality.

To help our newly planted trees and shrubs get a jump on this competition, Friends of Trees is organizing a series of Tree Care events at some of our planting sites in the coming weeks. It’s a great way to get outside and enjoy the spring weather, as well as help ensure the success of these planting sites. We’ll not only teach you how to remove invasive plant species by hand, but we’ll also teach native plant identification skills and various care techniques.

No experience is necessary. If you’d like to participate, simply arrive at the sites listed below by 9 a.m. and we’ll provide refreshments, gloves and tools. For more information, visit the Friends of Trees calendar or contact our Greg or Andy in our Volunteer & Outreach Program.

Saturday, April 24: King City Park, Tigard (We’ll also be planting 100 trees this day!)
Saturday, May 1: Happy Valley Park, Happy Valley
Saturday, May 8: Clatsop Butte, Portland
Saturday, May 15: Memorial Park, Wilsonville
Saturday, May 22: Durham City Park, Tigard

Meeks is the volunteer and outreach specialist at Friends of Trees: 503-282-8846 ext. 24, [email protected]