Take a look at what happened at a Friends of Trees event not long ago. If you missed out, there’s another ‘planting party’ on March 21 …
In the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood, “Friends of Trees” volunteers are at work planting trees in this yard.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Not having heard from the “Friends of Trees” organization for some time, we were delighted to learn that this long-standing nonprofit organization is again planting trees in outer East Portland
>> To read our most recent article about their efforts – in 2022 – and watch the included video, CLICK HERE.
Their first of two outer East Portland plantings was on Saturday morning, March 7. All of the volunteers met at Gethsemane Lutheran Church before they were divided up into teams and headed out to plant about 100 trees, in private yards across outer Southeast Portland neighborhoods.
Volunteers were equipped with gloves, tools, and guidance – as well as light breakfast snacks and coffee/tea/hot chocolate to fuel their efforts.
At a Powellhurst-Gilbert planting
In the Jade District Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative area, on a residential street in the far northwest corner of the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood, we found a cheerful band of volunteers in the yard of “client” Chaun MacQueen.
Homeowner Chaun MacQueen says she’s excited to be helping install new trees in her yard.
“I’ve known about Friends of Trees for the whole time I’ve lived in Portland,” MacQueen told East Portland News. “But this is my first time working with them directly, on a project like this – right here, in my backyard – and I’m very excited about it.”
On her quarter-acre lot, MacQueen took a break from helping plant a Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) in her back yard – and in her side yard, a London plane (acerifolia).
Wrangling a Pondarosa Pine, it’s volunteer Jessica Grimes.
“We’re placing these backyard trees because there’s a grand fir that’s starting to get older. So planting the ponderosa pine right behind it will give it time to grow up, by the time we have to do something about the other big tree when it becomes a hazard,” explained MacQueen.
Volunteers new to tree planting learned how to properly dig the hole, plant the tree, pound in stakes, put on mulch, and apply water.
Carefully mulching this just-planted “London plane” are volunteers Josie Kramer and Madison Hauser.
“I’d recommend others work with Friends of Trees. It is coming together on a day like this, and the fellowship is amazing,” observed MacQueen. “We all met at a church, and the outpouring of community members from so many different organizations, neighborhoods – just kids and adults coming together to do this project, it’s wonderful.
“On top of it all, we’re doing something that actually matters for our neighborhood and for our city; it’s something we voted for with the City of Portland Clean Energy Fund,” MacQueen continued. “It’s very exciting to see that we have agency in doing something about our concerns about the climate. And, at the same time, connecting as a community!”
This group of cheerful volunteers gathers for a “team photo” as they move on to their next planting site.
March 21 Outer Northeast Portland Tree Planting event
From 8:45 a.m. until 1 p.m. join Friends of Trees and Portland Urban Forestry as they plant some 100 trees in the Argay Terrace, Parkrose, Parkrose Heights, Russell, and Wilkes neighborhoods.
You’ll get all you need if you volunteer – including a complete orientation – before being sent off with a group. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes/boots that you don’t mind getting dirty, and be ready to have fun with other volunteers. Groups, families, and individuals are welcome! Preregistration required: CLICK HERE to do so. With questions, email volunteer@friendsoftrees.org or call 503-595-0213. They’re meeting at Level Beer: 5211 NE 148th Avenue, 97230.
To learn more about Friends of Trees, see their official website: CLICK HERE.
© 2026 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
