Trees that meet many needs

By Brighton West

At least a few times a week, people call Friends of Trees with an offer of donated trees. Unfortunately we can’t accept most of the offers. We plant trees that are purchased at wholesale prices from Willamette Valley nurseries so we’re guaranteed quality trees for our plantings, and we purchase trees in bulk, sometimes hundreds of each species. It’s hard to find a home for one or two unique trees, so we usually recommend posting to Craigslist to find new homes for young trees.

However, once in a while a great tree donation comes along that fits a current, identified need. Recently, Oregon Environmental Council called Friends of Trees to offer a partnership. They would donate 40 large trees to us if we helped transport the trees to and from their annual Celebrate Oregon event on March 3. The trees came from Farmington Gardens and Eshraghi Nursery in Beaverton.

So what will happen to the trees now? Some will be planted at locations around Portland, and others will be saved for future events.

The Oregon League of Conservation Voters has already asked us to provide trees for its 14th Annual Celebration for the Environment on April 15, and the PDX Bridge Festival hopes to place trees on the Hawthorne Bridge again during this year’s Brunch on the Bridge event. We’re also providing trees to the American Red Cross for an earthquake preparedness training.

Friends of Trees appreciates our partnerships with nonprofits, community groups, businesses, and agencies in the Portland-Vancouver area. It’s rewarding to work together for the greater green.

–West is Program Director for Friends of Trees.