By Jesse Batty

Urban forestry is best described as “trees and people.” If that is the case, then a municipal urban forester’s legacy can be summed up in the effect he or she has had on the trees and people in the city in which they work.

On Friday, May 18, a large group comprised mostly of City of Lake Oswego employees gathered to honor the late David Odom at the Oswego Pioneer Cemetery.

Here, a Nyssa Sylvatica ‘David Odom’ Afterburner Black Tupelo was planted along with a breathtaking plaque memorializing the life and work of David. While listening to Johnny Cash and enjoying a whiskey toast, countless stories were shared about David’s passion for trees and life.

David was particularly interested in the preservation of large canopy trees on private property and their effect on the public good. It’s no coincidence that Lake Oswego is one of the few cities that has a higher than 40% tree canopy cover. Much of that can be attributed to David’s work there for four years.

It was clear that David had certainly left his mark on this city and its urban forest, as he had done in all of the cities where he lived and worked. Many thanks to Joe, Johanna and the great folks from the City of Lake Oswego.

–Batty is a Neighborhood Trees Specialist for Friends of Trees.