Friends of Trees

Christopher Mandeville

Okay this is one of my most favorite nonprofits in Portland, and one that I'm actually involved in. Their mission is to help residents plant trees. In the process they bring the community together for an annual planting day in each neighborhood. If you're looking for a place to help out and make a difference, this is a great place to volunteer. And if you help plant trees, you get to watch those trees grow and flourish with the knowledge that you help to make that happen. The planting days are very well run and organized, plus they include a potluck lunch after the work is done. They really make an effort to be inclusive of everyone. I don't know of any other place where you can get a good size tree planted for $35 or less. And all they ask in return is that you donate some food or some of your time to help out. I really encourage everyone to get involved in this organization!

T W

Years ago, the first time I contacted this group, there was no response. The second time, they responded and we were able to get a tree planted in our front parking strip. The third time, a Friends of Trees canvass person contacted us and signed us up to get a another tree in our parking strip. When we called to find out about the tree planting, they had no record of any contact with us. The fourth time was this year and we were again contacted by some canvassers for Friends of the Trees. When we followed up with them, they told us that the city was no longer allowing tree plantings in narrow strips, so sorry but no second tree will be planted in your parking strip. Yesterday, a woman from the city, representing herself as someone associated with Friends of the Trees, came to our house, asked a question about the lot boundaries, took some measurements of our parking strip, and told me that the city policy regarding minimal strip width required for tree plantings had changed. She told me that Friends of the Trees would email us about selecting a tree. When we contacted them today, they told us it is too late and they had no idea who measured our parking strip for a tree yesterday. We never called the city, so why did they come to measure our parking strip? Because Friends of the Trees sent them (but now claims to know nothing about it). They are either incompetent or liars and I never want to hear from them again.

Nick Toda (TodallyRad)

This is a non-profit group that fosters a sense of community while helping the environment by planting trees in the greater Portland, Oregon area. I've been volunteering off and one with them for several years and absolutely love what they do for the world. They're doing great work for all of us.

Gow Litzenburger

What a great group, "Friends of Trees" is !! As a career nurseryman, I must say, I was extremely impressed during a recent tree planting event. This group is working wonders in Portland, Oregon and beyond to restore and maintain their urban forest !! The staff and other volunteers were so welcoming to this out of state visitor, I can hardly wait to come back and lend a hand again soon !! Great work and congratulations on a half million trees planted. I think we will all breathe a little easier !!