Case Study: City of Portland, OR improves urban forest equity with Davey Resource Group

City of Portland, OR models a 10-year street tree plan with Davey for 218,602 trees

The City of Portland, OR faced an inequitable urban forest, as low tree canopy coverage was linked to lower-income neighborhoods. With no active street tree maintenance program, the responsibility fell on property owners, creating a knowledge and financial burden. The city engaged Davey Resource Group, a division of Davey Tree, to analyze the challenge and develop a more equitable strategy.

Davey Resource Group performed a detailed analysis of Portland's inventory of over 218,000 street trees. They modeled a 10-year maintenance cycle and created GIS-based annual work plans and budgets. This solution provided the city with a clear, actionable framework to assume responsibility for street tree care, aiming to boost canopy coverage in underserved areas and move toward a healthier, more equitable urban forest.

City of Portland, OR