More than 3,000 trees + native shrubs planted so far!
In celebration of our 33rd season of planting trees together, we are hosting a month-long virtual celebration on our social media channels featuring LIVE tree walks, tree talks, and more. This is our way of bringing planting day to folks who can’t get out there; sharing some tree identification and fun facts about trees; and engaging with some of our partners who are part of our educational and climate justice programming.
A highlight so far this month is FOT deputy director, Whitney Dorer, walking and talking with Dr. Vivek Shandas about our Robert Wood Johnson Foundation partnership:
What we’re trying to do is understand how tree planting in eastern parts of Portland has affected the quality of life for residents in this part of the city.
Whitney and Dr. Shandas took a rainy tree walk in east Portland to talk about trees + equity.
Upcoming tree walks + talks this month
October 26 ~ NOON: LIVE tree walk in downtown Eugene.
October 27 ~ 9am – Noon:LIVE tree paddle + talk on the Willamette River!
All the details are in thisschedule of events, where you can also find our October tree walk playlists, enjoy!
Get to Know fall tree care
Leave the leaves!
Fall brings cooler days and evenings, an extra layer when we head out, and the striking colors on display gifted to us by nature. For many of us fall also means raking leaves, but it shouldn’t. In fact, fall tree care should include leaving the leaves!
We have this habit as a society to rake and dispose of leaves, but leaves are vitamins for plants and magic for building the health and vitality of soil. When we remove leaves we are actually interrupting a process called nutrient cycling, which is when the leaves break down and feed the roots. Rain carries the nutrients downward and provides them to trees and other plants, water-solubly.
So, leave the leaves! At the base of trees, in your garden beds, anywhere you want healthy soil in the spring.
The Eugene Tree Team celebrates the start of planting season
As part of this month’s celebration of planting season Erik and Taylor take us on tree walks in some of Eugene’s neighborhoods and parks. You’ll discover that you can learn a lot about trees in downtown Eugene among the sidewalks and buildings; we’ve seen trees with some beautiful fall color in neighborhoods and parks; Taylor IDs a tree with “a really fun name to say” (what’s your “fun” tree name?); you’ll see some cones that look like duck bills … and more!
The Eugene Tree Team really knows trees, take a look!
Willamette Week’sGive!Guidestarts November 1st!Through December 31st use G!G to learn about and support organizations that are doing amazing work on behalf of people, places, critters and causes (including trees + community, of course ;). G!G featuresBig Give Dayswhen donors are entered to raffles for fabulous incentives like bikes, getaways, and more.
G!G donors to Friends of Trees also get delicious incentives from our generous partners!The first 300, $10+ donors to Friends of Trees through G!G get a free slice fromHOTLIPS Pizzaand a pint of beer atLevel Beer. Get ready for some giving!
Get Involved
It’s our 33rd season of planting and caring for trees – JOIN US!
Here are some upcoming volunteer events:
November 6, Natural area planting, Ghost Creek, North Plains
November 6, Natural area planting, Northwest Expressway, Eugene
November 13, Neighborhood planting, southeast Portland–our first Portland planting event of the season!
November 20, Neighborhood planting, Oregon City
Our events are modified as part of our COVID response to ensure they are as safe and healthy as possible,more information is here.
