Oregon’s Green Pedal-Powered Tree Planting

April 2, 2015

Friends of the Trees

Photo at right: Volunteers Bill Stites (center), Paul Cone (left), and Aaron Tarfman (behind Paul), join others on bikes to plant trees. Photo by Naomi Tsurumi.

Ever wonder why western Oregon has so many trees? Thank Friends of the Trees, local cyclists and the cities of Portland, Vancouver, Salem, Eugene and Springfield for the gorgeous deciduous and coniferous canopies that shelter you from the elements now, and into the distant future.

In 2014, Friends of the Trees celebrated its 25th anniversary by selling trees for $25 and Ninkasi Brewing Company joined the party by creating and distributing a beer appropriately called Friends of the Trees Pale Ale. All profits from the beer support Friends of Trees and its mission to bring people together to plant trees and improve the natural world around us.

The combined efforts between staff and volunteers from Friends of Trees and their Neighborhood Trees and the Green Space Initiative programs have resulted in the installment of over half a million trees and native plants since its beginnings in 1989.

Raise a pint of the pale ale to the cyclists of western Oregon who have volunteered thousands of hours riding to sites, hauling trees and tools in their bike trailers, and planting the trees and shrubs in front yards, parking strips and public parks. Cheers to green pedal-powered advocacy for a cause that lowers CO2, mitigates storm run-off and provides beauty, shade and shelter around western Oregon.