Tree Walk Focuses on Why Size Matters
Large-species, long-lived trees provide us greater and many more years of environmental services than do small- or medium-size trees. They are a key part of our urban green infrastructure. Across the city they are being taken down or are dying. As more infill and increased density come to our neighborhoods, large-form trees need to be part of the public conversation around what kind of city we’d like Portland to be. Space for affordable housing is needed for sure. But if we want to keep our neighborhoods green and livable, space for existing large trees or for planting new large-species trees should be part of the discussion. Good design can leave room for both new housing and large trees.
These were some of the messages that Jim Gersbach delivered during a tree walk he led in the Irvington neighborhood, on behalf of its tree team, on February 1, 2020. The theme of the walk was “Size Matters.” Jim has led Irvington tree walks for many years. He is a tree steward, a member of the Concordia Tree Team, and a founding member of Trees for Life Oregon. He was formerly with the city’s Urban Forestry division, and now works for the Oregon Department of Forestry.
Jim’s walk stressed the need to plant the right-size, right-species tree in the right-size planting strip. Pointing to some empty planting strips west of NE 15th, especially to those with no power lines above, he explained why these are lost opportunities for residents of those streets who stand to benefit from trees near their homes. He talked about the reasons residents may not plant street trees. One, he said, is the fear some people have of trees falling down and damaging their homes, which is a rare occurrence. On the other hand, Jim also pointed out a home whose owners, motivated to preserve the huge coast redwood next to their driveway, designed permeable pavers in a curve around it to protect its roots (see lead photo). And, as he often does on Irvington tours, he pointed out the unusual broadleaf evergreens growing along NE 11th and along Knott, including live oaks. He explained how broadleaf evergreens, compared to our more commonly planted deciduous trees, clean our air, filter our storm water, and provide wildlife habitat all year round, not just in the summer. Following the walk, Jim was interviewed by KATU about why trees matter.
--Kyna Rubin