Please download the tree removal and replacement application form, tree removal guide and street tree list below.

City code requires owners to care for street trees in the planter strip abutting their property.  A diseased or hazardous street tree, as determined by a registered arborist and verified by the City, may be removed if replaced. A permit is required to remove a street tree.

Trees provide benefits, such as stormwater retention, wildlife habitat and reduced energy consumption.  A street tree is a community-owned tree that grows on City property. Generally, they are located adjacent to your home in a planter strip or median between the sidewalk and the street. When planter strips are not present, they may be planted near the street pavement or behind a sidewalk. Though the City does not encourage removal of community-owned street trees, sometimes it is necessary. Before you begin your project, please review the following information guide.

If you have questions about the permit process, please contact Pete Walter, Associate Planner, at (503) 496-1568, or via email at pwalter@orcity.org

DID YOU KNOW? Planting a street tree can provide an abundance of benefits to those streets they occupy. For example, a recent study by the City of Portland found that a tree with a canopy cover of 312 square feet (the average for our study) adds $7,593 to the house it fronts. However, it also positively influences the prices of houses within 100 feet. On average, there are 7.6 houses within 100 feet of a street tree. Therefore, a tree with 312 square feet of canopy cover adds, on average, $9,241 to the value of neighboring houses.