October isn’t just about candy and pumpkin patches. In Portland, it’s also the time to celebrate trees (beyond leaf-peeping) for Arbor Day.
You may be scratching your head and thinking — Arbor Day… in October? National Arbor Day is indeed celebrated every year in April, but in true Portland fashion, the City of Roses branched out and observes the day in October. There’s a reason for this treeson.
A season for success
Portland has celebrated Arbor Day since 1889 — about 300 years after a village in Spain held the world’s first documented arbor plantation festival, and just 17 years after the first American Arbor Day was held in Nebraska.
The City of Portland moved Arbor Day to October several years ago in response to our changing climate. While planting young trees in the spring was once no sweat, today’s hotter, drier summers have made it harder for trees to develop strong root systems and become established. Planting between October and April is recommended.
Some heroes wear leaves
There are 1.2 million trees growing in Portland parks, 220,000 growing along streets, and many — and we mean many — growing on private property. Together, they provide a trunk-load of benefits to the city, from controlling erosion and filtering stormwater to reducing air pollution and mitigating heat islands.
“Science has shown that trees not only cool the environment but also play a substantial role in the larger fight against climate change,” said Portland Parks Commissioner Carmen Rubio.
Portland is giving away 2,000 free trees to residents this fall at Yard Tree Giveaway events.
Photo by Portland Parks & Recreation
Spruce up the city
This year, Portland will observe Arbor Day on Sat., Oct. 29. Portland Parks & Recreation and the Urban Forestry department will host a celebration from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Glenwood Park.
All ages are invited to stop by to help plant new trees in the park, care for those already established, take a tree home to plant, enjoy face painting, win prizes, and meet various local sponsors like Trees for Life Oregon and East Portland Parks Coalition. Learn more about planting, preserving, and getting involved.
