[ODF_Private_Forests] Oregon's Arbor Week starts Monday

[WEEKS Kevin]

Oregon Department of Forestry
NEWS RELEASE

April 1, 2009
09-12

Contact:
Paul D. Ries 503.945.7391
Cynthia Orlando 503-945-7421


Oregon's Arbor Week starts Monday
Oregon breaks the 50 "Tree City" mark

Beginning next week, during Oregon's Arbor Week, 52 Oregon cities will be recognized as Tree City USA (TCUSA) communities - the highest ever total for the state. Newest additions to the growing list of tree-friendly communities are the cities of Dallas, Lincoln City and Gresham, who are receiving their first-ever awards this month.

Tree City USA, a program of the National Arbor Day Foundation sponsored by the Oregon Department of Forestry, recognizes cities that develop programs to plant and care for trees.

"Trees are important to the quality of life here in Oregon, where we have some of the most productive forestland in the world and some of the most livable cities around," says Paul Ries, who manages the Oregon Department of Forestry's Urban and Community Forestry Program. Trees and forests enhance quality of life in many ways, including providing fish and wildlife habitat, wood products, shade, and clean, healthy streams, adds Ries.

In addition to the three new TCUSA cities, Oregon "Tree Cities" earning recertification this year include:

Albany * Ashland  * Baker City * Banks * Beaverton * Bend * Brownsville * Coburg  Coos Bay * Corvallis * Cottage Grove *  Eagle Point * Echo * Eugene * Forest Grove * Gervais *  Grants Pass *  Happy Valley *  Klamath Falls * La Grande *  Lake Oswego  * Lebanon *  Madras *  McMinnville *  Medford *  Metolius *  Monmouth * Philomath  * Portland *  Redmond  *  Reedsport *  Rogue River *  Salem * Sandy *  Scio *  Seaside  *  Sherwood *  Sisters *  Sunriver *  Sweet Home *  Talent * Tigard  *  Tillamook * Toledo *  Troutdale * Tualatin * West Linn *  Willamina * Wilsonville.

The many cities currently planning Arbor Week events with ceremonies or tree plantings include Ashland, Bend, Coburg, Corvallis, Klamath Falls, Lebanon, Portland, Salem, Tigard, and Wilsonville. However, just because you don't see your city listed here doesn't mean an event isn't planned, so check with local city government officials for details pertaining to your community.


Planting trees a meaningful way to celebrate state's 150th birthday

Planting trees is one way people can continue to celebrate Oregon's "Sesquicentennial," the state's 150th anniversary.  Many of the Tree City USA communities are including their Arbor Week ceremonies as part of  "The Great Oregon Tree Plant," a statewide recognition program of 150 tree planting events.  Each planting project is receiving an Oregon 150 commemorative plaque.


Tips for tree planting at home

For homeowners, now is an excellent opportunity to take stock of trees and plan for the future. Consider how planting new trees might improve the look of your property and provide wildlife habitat, scenic beauty, a visual screen, and wind or heat protection. For long-term success, remember these tree planting tips.

Trees are often not given their best odds for long-term survival and growth because they are planted too deeply. When planting a tree, never dig the hole deeper than necessary and plant the tree with the root collar at ground level or slightly (2") higher to allow for settling. Also remove all containers, wire, plastic and string from the trunk and roots before planting.

Fertilizing at the time of planting is not necessary, but the tree should be deeply watered after planting. Common symptoms of newly planted trees that have been too deeply planted include yellow foliage, fall color that comes earlier than usual, and leaf drop.


To learn more about Arbor Week, visit http://www.arborday.org/oregon/.
More information about trees can be found at www.treesaregood.com.


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For information / questions regarding the Private Forests News service:

Kevin Weeks
Public Information Officer / Private Forests Division
Oregon Department of Forestry
(503) 945-7427


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