Nov. 30, 2007

PGE and Friends of Trees team up in “Greening the Eastside”
Volunteers needed for several East Portland tree-planting events

PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland General Electric and Friends of Trees are teaming up again — this year planting trees in several East Portland neighborhoods as part of Friends of Trees’ “Greening the Eastside” project. Volunteers are still needed!

Friends of Trees and PGE are calling for volunteers to join Portland General Electric employees to help with tree plantings on several Saturdays (Dec. 1, 8, Jan 12, Feb. 2, and March 1) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers of all ages are encouraged to help plant trees, and no experience is necessary. Friends of Trees staff and trained crew leaders will provide tools, guidance and oversight.

The Friends of Trees’ “Greening the Eastside” project is focusing on East Portland neighborhoods with the greatest need for tree canopy coverage. The neighborhoods selected have the lowest tree canopy cover within city limits (with an average of 21 percent cover). Chosen neighborhoods with their average canopy cover include:

• Creston-Kenilworth – 19 percent
• Foster-Powell – 20 percent
• Hosford-Abernethy – 19 percent
• Lents – 23 percent
• Buckman – 16 percent
• Brentwood-Darlington – 25 percent
• Mt. Scott-Arleta – 22 percent
• Montavilla – 16 percent
• Richmond – 24 percent
• Powellhurst-Gilbert – 20 percent.

“City trees are especially important during times of heavy rainfall,” said Scott Fogerty, executive director, Friends of Trees. “A typical mature tree can trap 760 gallons of rainwater on its leaves a year, greatly reducing storm water management costs and combined sewer overflows into the Willamette and Columbia rivers.”

In addition, trees trap air pollutants on their leaves, reduce energy use by sheltering homes from sun and wind and protect streamsides from erosion during heavy rainfall. Studies show each street or yard tree planted in the Northwest today can provide more than $1,000 in benefits over the tree’s lifetime. According to a city of Portland study released last month, Portland's trees intercept 25 million pounds of air pollutants and keep half a billion gallons of water from our storm water management system a year, saving the city $11 million in storm water management costs.

2007 marks the 11th year PGE has provided significant financial and volunteer support to Friends of Trees. Volunteers interested in helping alongside PGE volunteers can call 503-284-TREE (8733) or visit friendsoftrees.org.

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