Tree Care Tips and Resources

Planting

There is very detailed information with pictures about how to plant trees properly on the Friends of Trees website.

Watering

Watering is an important part of tree care. Watering varies for new versus more established trees. It is suggested to water regularly (once a week) during a tree’s first three summers or dry spells. A few options for watering include watering (10-15 gallons of water) slowly to allow saturation of the soil or using a 5-gallon bucket of water with small holes drilled in the bottom to allow the water to slowly seep out. More established trees (after about 3 years) can be watered once a month in summer or dry spells. Mulching (in the next section) is an important tool in helping to hold the water for a new tree. A video with additional tips on watering can be found on Friends of Trees website.

Mulching

Mulching is another important part of tree care. It reduces evaporation (especially in excessive heat), delivers organic nutrients and helps prevent weeds from growing. Friends of Trees recommends the 3-3-3 rule, “3 inches away from the trunk of the tree, 3 inches deep, in about a 2-3-foot radius.” Organic matter such as leaves or wood chips are suggested mulch. There are many different options for purchasing or getting mulch free around town, such as with ChipDrop.

Pruning

Non-fruit trees

During the first year after planting a new tree, no pruning (except for dead or damaged branches) is advised. After the tree is established (2-3 years) pruning is recommended as needed. What is never recommended is “topping” a tree – removal of a tree’s upper branches to stubs - this results in stress, decay and sunburn for the tree.

There is a lot to pruning and the Concordia Tree Team members are experts. They prune street trees in the neighborhood each Spring and Fall. If you are interested in learning more about tree pruning or wish to help prune trees in Concordia, contact the Tree Team using – the “Get Involved” button at the top of this website. You can also reach out to a certified arborist to get pruning support or read more on the Friends of Trees website.

Please be advised that the City of Portland requires a permit to prune street trees (aka trees in the right-of-way). Please follow this link: Trees - Forms and Applications List | Portland.gov to file an application. Note that there is an online self-issued permit if you are doing the pruning yourself. You need to know the species of tree and the diameter of the main trunk 4.5 ft from the ground. There is no cost for the self-issued permit, but it is limited to trees that are less than 6” in diameter.

Fruit trees

Fruit tree pruning is a science all on its own. The Concordia Tree Team recommends checking out the resources at the Portland Fruit Tree Project. They provide pruning classes as well as access to a network of volunteers to help harvest and distribute the bounty from your fruit trees.

Extreme Weather

Heat

It is no secret that climate change and extreme heat conditions take a toll on trees. It is recommended to double your normal watering routine (see above) during excessive heat events, which is anything above about 90 degrees.

The best time to water is early in the morning or when the sun sets to minimize evaporation of water. It is important that water gets deep into the roots. Friends of Trees says, “wondering if it’s time to water? If you poke a pencil 4-5 inches down, does it come out dry & dusty? If so, water!”

Wind and Ice Storms

It is also no secret that extreme weather conditions such as ice and wind storms have a big effect on trees – causing limbs to fall and whole trees to topple over. There is a great article from OPB that talks about tips for ice damaged trees. Good structural pruning of mature trees can help minimize damage from wind storms.

Free Trees

You can get a free tree from Friends of trees in three easy steps shared on the Friends of Tress website.

You can find out about free yard trees on the City of Portland Urban Forestry website.