News Release from: City of Beaverton
DOWNTOWN BEAVERTON PONDEROSA PINE IS RECIPIENT OF GRANT, MAKEOVER
Posted: May 1st, 2013 3:55 PM
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2013-05/1786/63888/P1000694.JPG (Downtown Beaverton’s 130-foot tall Ponderosa Pine receives a trim from General Tree Service as part of a 2013 Tree Preservation Grant, which assists in preserving valuable and irreplaceable trees.)
In celebration of Oregon Arbor Week, General Tree Service awarded the City of Beaverton the 2013 Tree Preservation Grant for its more than 130-foot tall Ponderosa Pine on SW Angel Avenue and SW Fourth Street. The grant is available to local governments, nonprofit organizations and deserving individuals to assist them in caring for and preserving valuable and irreplaceable trees.
"As a Tree City USA, it's important for Beaverton to acknowledge some of its oldest and most recognizable landmarks--trees," said Mayor Denny Doyle. "It's an honor to receive this grant to continue to make sure our oldest trees stay healthy and strong."
On April 10 during Oregon Arbor Week, the Ponderosa received crown cleaning and thinning. General Tree Service had three different climbers ascending the tree and two crewmembers managing the groundwork, an aerial lift and onsite chipper to complete the massive task.
The Ponderosa is estimated to be between 120 and 150 years old and has a nearly 16 foot circumference. Many of the branches are the size of a large tree, nearly three feet thick.
"Nearly 20 years ago, I pushed to have the Ponderosa pine accepted as 'Beaverton's Favorite Tree' when the program was still running," said Pat Hoff. "But, funding was cut and it never got the recognition it deserved."
The General Tree Service Tree Grant program started in 2000 as a formalized extension of the voluntary tree preservation work. The grant is available to local governments, nonprofit organizations and deserving individuals. General Tree Service strives to help those, who for various reasons are unable to preserve valuable and irreplaceable trees and to promote the need for quality care to preserve the long term health of trees. Past winners of this grant include:
* Ronald McDonald House
* Zimmerman Heritage Farm
* City of Portland
* Our Garden Inc. (nonprofit)
* City of Gladstone
* Historic Estate, Keil House
* Mt Hood National Forest, Toll Gate Maples
* Stevens-Crawford Heritage House
* Phillip-Foster Farmstead
* Milwaukie Pioneer Cemetery
* Sisters of Reparation Convent
* Clark College
General Tree Services awards the Tree Preservation grant once a year, although the amount varies. The pruning work that General Tree Services performed on the Ponderosa pine is estimated to be worth $4,800.
For more information about Beaverton's Urban Forestry Department visit www.BeavertonOregon.gov/UrbanForestry or call Pat Hoff, the city's lead arborist, at 503-526-2237. For more information about General Tree Services, please visit www.GeneralTree.com.
Beaverton has been recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for 19 years in a row. Beaverton's Urban Forestry Maintenance section provides care and maintenance for the city's urban forest that enhances the health of the existing resources and encourages conservation and preservation. This year, the city's arborists pruned more than 10,000 city trees, provided additional care for a record number of trees, and maintained the highest percentage of trees in 'excellent' or 'good' condition for more than five years.
In 2013, Beaverton was again recognized as the safest city in Oregon. Since 2007, Beaverton has been named one of the safest cities in the Northwest. In 2012, the city was awarded the Mayors' Climate Protection Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. It was one of just four cities of its size recently recognized as a "Smarter City" energy leader by the Natural Resources Defense Council and one of the 100 Best Places to Live in America by Money magazine. In addition, Beaverton was named one of the best places to raise kids by BusinessWeek magazine, an All-America City finalist, as one of the top 25 Suburbs for Retirement by Forbes.com, one of the 100 Best Walking Cities in America by Prevention magazine, the Recycler of the Year from the Association of Oregon Recyclers, a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, a Bronze Award Bicycle Friendly Community designation by the League of American Bicyclists and as one of the Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power Communit
ies, the Beaverton Community Vision program was named Public Involvement Project of the Year--Best Planning Project by the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) Cascade Chapter. Beaverton also enjoys one of the most diverse populations in Oregon. For more information, please visit www.BeavertonOregon.gov or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CityofBeaverton.
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