Find Stories

This tall pine tree along with other surrounding trees helps us feel like we own a tree house. Our driveway is steep and then we have a full set of stairs to get up to the front door, if we take the stairs up to the second floor we are still only at...

Read more...

Canopy Story

×

Location: Crestwood Author: Amy B.

---

This tall pine tree along with other surrounding trees helps us feel like we own a tree house. Our driveway is steep and then we have a full set of stairs to get up to the front door, if we take the stairs up to the second floor we are still only at the half way point of this gigantic Pine! Luckily we have a second story patio where we can view the rest of this tree and thousands of others across southwest Portland. Virtually joined at the hip on this pine is a very full Cherry Tree. Two-thirds of the way up the pine tree is a large multi-generational squirrels nest. We love trees and we love Oregon!

This is when Glen realizes the tree is bigger than him😲

Here stands the tallest tree in Portland between Forest Park and Powell Butte Nature Park! It's around 3-4 ft. in diameter (DBH) and is putting on vigorous growth. Heavily-travelled trails surround the tree, but 99% of the walkers don't even notice...

Read more...

Canopy Story

×

Location: Mt_tabor Author: Darvel L.

---

Here stands the tallest tree in Portland between Forest Park and Powell Butte Nature Park! It's around 3-4 ft. in diameter (DBH) and is putting on vigorous growth. Heavily-travelled trails surround the tree, but 99% of the walkers don't even notice it.

This is the largest Douglas fir in Portland--about 6.4 ft. in diameter (over 20 ft. circumference) at breast height and now well over 250 ft. to the intact top. It is one of many old-growth Douglas firs in this canyon that were spared from the turn...

Read more...

Canopy Story

×

Location: Forest_park_6b Author: Darvel L.

---

This is the largest Douglas fir in Portland--about 6.4 ft. in diameter (over 20 ft. circumference) at breast height and now well over 250 ft. to the intact top. It is one of many old-growth Douglas firs in this canyon that were spared from the turn-of-the-century saws. The City of Portland Urban Forestry Dept. designated it a "Heritage Tree" in 1997.

This ponderosa pine was planted in the early 1960's by Carroll Dubuar. He received it as a sapling. His daughters can remember jumping over the tree when it was still small.

This Coast Redwood in our backyard, according to older neighborhood residents, was a house-warming gift to the first occupants of our 1927 home. When we had our first inspection by an arborist shortly after we bought it in 1991, he was already famil...

Read more...

Canopy Story

×

Location: Creston_kenilworth Author: Jill C.

---

This Coast Redwood in our backyard, according to older neighborhood residents, was a house-warming gift to the first occupants of our 1927 home. When we had our first inspection by an arborist shortly after we bought it in 1991, he was already familiar with the tree, and said it was one of only a handful of coast redwoods in the urban environment of Portland of its size. We had it designated as a Heritage Tree when an incoming development next door appeared to possibly threaten the root zone. Care was taken, and it has thrived as the neighborhood has been densely built up around us. The last measurement 5 years ago was 140 feet. The tree is so large that it dominates the yard, and it is a lot of work to keep up with all the needles that fall, but we love it--it is what attracted us about the house the first time we saw it. It is a favorite of area raccoon families, squirrels, hawks, and songbirds. We had skylights installed facing north so that we could look into the canopy, and as wildlife lovers, we consider the tree as part of our home. As we get older, we occasionally think of having to move someday, but can't stand the thought of leaving this lovely tree.

This tree is in the front yard of the house I grew up in from 1961 to 1973. It was outside my bedroom window. A birch tree that was so beautiful and led to my love of the birch. So happy to see it is still around.

This is a HUGE tulip tree, so solid and reassuring, making its elegant gentle way surrounded by buildings on two sides and a street that is always full and busy. To me, it is the picture of grace and outlasting human frailty -- we like to think we a...

Read more...

Canopy Story

×

Location: Lloyd_district Author: Nicky H.

---

This is a HUGE tulip tree, so solid and reassuring, making its elegant gentle way surrounded by buildings on two sides and a street that is always full and busy. To me, it is the picture of grace and outlasting human frailty -- we like to think we are the species in charge, but look closer and this tree (among others) will make you think again. I will always be grateful for this tree and any help it has had from any of us to make sure it stays healthy.

We moved in August ,8 ,2018 our house was built in 1940 the second wave of Parkrose home platts . We are in love with our family tree. Please tell us what kind of tree we have! 🌳🍃

This is, from what we have been told and looks accurate from photos online, a Cedrus deodara, the Deodar cedar aka Himalayan cedar. As homeowners since 2013, on a house built in 1928, we don't have any verifiable history. Once, about a year into o...

Read more...

Canopy Story

×

Location: Eastmoreland Author: Marc W.

---

This is, from what we have been told and looks accurate from photos online, a Cedrus deodara, the Deodar cedar aka Himalayan cedar.

As homeowners since 2013, on a house built in 1928, we don't have any verifiable history. Once, about a year into owning a home a woman with her elderly father or grandfather drove by and he commented he grew up in the house and remembers when the tree was a 6-foot tall. I invited them in to talk, but they just wanted to drive by.

This is a messy tree. It drops needles almost year-round in large quantities. Also, the female cones are dense and large, quite lovely when they open a little. The male cones, size of a banana slug, are prolific at dropping yellow pollen. Also, every few years they drop at such a rate the entire area underneath is covered - literally not an inch on the ground left uncovered. Fortunately (sarcasm) this is during Nov when it is wet which makes it near impossible to use a blower. I have had to employ a snow shovel. It does provide great shade and homes to many animals.

Do not curse the tree. It does not like it and has on 2 occasions dropped a small branch on my head within a minute of me expressing disdain over cleaning up after it (I'm not kidding). Fortunately, both were less than a thumb width; you can see a hole in my neighbor’s hedge from a small/med branch dropping on it 10 years ago. I can only imagine what that hedge said...

The owners before the folks we bought from, Mike, used to build a lighted Christmas tree structure against the tree - which several neighbors have expressed fond memories of. We hang a huge plastic blow mold Santa on the tree you can see all the way up Malden in the hopes of installing some fond memories for the folks currently living nearby (not to mention the Halloween madness we employ the tree into).

In 2017 when we had significant snowfall we lost 4 small/medium limbs which fell with amazing accuracy missing the house, the power and cable lines and both cars - ok one tiny branch end (6-foot-long) did put a 2-inch dent on my wife's car hood. The other sm/md branches were so big I needed neighbors to help me move them out of the street. I can't even imagine if one of the large branches ever fell.


If for some reason the tree ever dies, I hope to hire an artist to carve a statue in the remnants of the significant trunk - as it is very tall and wide - enough to render a statue of me riding on the back of a grizzly bear and holding a bald eagle in my hand as I point knowingly to a secret. All while wearing a fancy hat. (FYI being funny for those who have no sense of humor).

This stretch along the creek is filled with amazing, enormous trees. They cast a wonderful shade in the summer, and the undergrowth rattles with creatures. These trees, especially this oak with its tremendously large leaves, are friends to everyone w...

Read more...

Canopy Story

×

Location: Historic_milwaukie Author: Wendy W.

---

This stretch along the creek is filled with amazing, enormous trees. They cast a wonderful shade in the summer, and the undergrowth rattles with creatures. These trees, especially this oak with its tremendously large leaves, are friends to everyone who passes by.

This maple tree produces tons of maple flyers every year. The squirrels ignore them until late in the winter, and then gather them up to eat. This tree is always full of life! A few days ago, I saw a beautiful red-tailed hawk land in this tree. It pr...

Read more...

Canopy Story

×

Location: Hector_campbell Author: Wendy W.

---

This maple tree produces tons of maple flyers every year. The squirrels ignore them until late in the winter, and then gather them up to eat. This tree is always full of life! A few days ago, I saw a beautiful red-tailed hawk land in this tree. It preened itself, sat a minute, and then flew away.

This weathered old grand fir is in our backyard. It's struggling along, a little unhappy about being sandwiched between houses and sheds and away from any other forest canopy. The branches are thin, and it's frankly not what most people would call an...

Read more...

Canopy Story

×

Location: Island_station Author: Kathy H.

---

This weathered old grand fir is in our backyard. It's struggling along, a little unhappy about being sandwiched between houses and sheds and away from any other forest canopy. The branches are thin, and it's frankly not what most people would call and attractive tree. Birds are of an entirely different opinion. Chickadees and bushtits regularly spend time here, foraging for insects in the branches. The crows and various raptors enjoy the view from up top. Hummingbirds perch at the tips of twigs. And in the spring and early summer, the tree comes alive with warblers and tanagers, tiny bits of gold that flash like glitter in the deep shadows of those long bright days. It's a valuable source of food and shelter for our feathered friends, and we try to honor it with the best care we can.

This is my "air conditioner" tree. It covers the majority of my house and keeps the house cool in the summer. I'm not sure when it was planted, but my house was built around 1896, and I'm guessing it's been around since that time. The top was lopp...

Read more...

Canopy Story

×

Location: Buckman Author: Laura R.

---

This is my "air conditioner" tree. It covers the majority of my house and keeps the house cool in the summer. I'm not sure when it was planted, but my house was built around 1896, and I'm guessing it's been around since that time. The top was lopped off at some point (1930's?), as were a number of trees in this neighborhood according to the arborist I had do some trimming on it a few years ago. The tree kept growing and now has two tops. It's very close to the foundation, but I'd hate to lose it.

This is a great tree. I love this tree. Overlooks the quad in front of Fields/Shoenfeldt Halls. 10/10 would look at this tree again.

This is a Norway Maple. Home to squirrels, and also nurturing many birds, this lovely tree once had a hole in it's side, but actually filled in all by itself over the years. Just weeks after we bought our house, I met the 8 year old from next door wh...

Read more...

Canopy Story

×

Location: Hazelwood Author: Kat M.

---

This is a Norway Maple. Home to squirrels, and also nurturing many birds, this lovely tree once had a hole in it's side, but actually filled in all by itself over the years. Just weeks after we bought our house, I met the 8 year old from next door when he asked to take a picture in front of it with his friend.

This tree is beautiful in any season. Even covered in ice, it is a work of art.

My parents bought their house in 1960, and I was born in 1964. They planted this oak tree next to the house in my honor when I was born. I remember as a kid being able to reach my hands around the trunk and touch my fingertips together on the other s...

Read more...

Canopy Story

×

Location: Eastmoreland Author: Joe D.

---

My parents bought their house in 1960, and I was born in 1964. They planted this oak tree next to the house in my honor when I was born. I remember as a kid being able to reach my hands around the trunk and touch my fingertips together on the other side. Now it is massive and towers majestically over the house and driveway, and produces big plump acorns every year!

I used to work close to this little green space, which is next to the walking path running next to I-84. I always admired the huge oak tree near the center, and one year decided to collect some acorns from it and see it I could start my own sapling....

Read more...

Canopy Story

×

Location: Gresham_wilkes_east Author: Lora M.

---

I used to work close to this little green space, which is next to the walking path running next to I-84. I always admired the huge oak tree near the center, and one year decided to collect some acorns from it and see it I could start my own sapling. Out of about 25 acorns that germinated, I ended up with two that survived. That was two years ago, and I only hope I can find a place to plant it that it will grow as beautifully as the parent tree.

This tree is in the front yard of my childhood home. I have wonderful memories of raking the leaves as a child. It was something we looked forward to every fall because my father would make it fun. We'd play duck duck goose in the blanket of giant go...

Read more...

Canopy Story

×

Location: Mt_tabor Author: Marilyn K.

---

This tree is in the front yard of my childhood home. I have wonderful memories of raking the leaves as a child. It was something we looked forward to every fall because my father would make it fun. We'd play duck duck goose in the blanket of giant golden leaves. Rake them into piles and bury ourselves in them. The chore took much longer than necessary but a good time was had by all. This was in the 1960's.

My great grandparents planted this chestnut and two more at the house next door, which was also owned by family. The other two are gone but I'm happy to see the one is still there.

I was in about 3rd grade and was walking home from school one day. A deluge struck so I hunkered under this tree for a good 20 minutes while it passed. The fact that the branches were able to catch and divert most of the water was a wonder to me at...

Read more...

Canopy Story

×

Location: Laurelhurst Author: Marilyn K.

---

I was in about 3rd grade and was walking home from school one day. A deluge struck so I hunkered under this tree for a good 20 minutes while it passed. The fact that the branches were able to catch and divert most of the water was a wonder to me at that age. I was very thankful for it. That was in the 1960's.