The Pacific Northwest, including the Portland area, is home to some of the biggest and most beautiful trees around! But unfortunately, the area is also prone to severe weather, including heavy winds, ice storms, and months and months of drizzly rain. The combination of extreme weather and large trees can lead to big problems.

In today’s post, we’ll explain what you should do if a tree falls on your Portland home.

Let’s get started.

1. Be Safe & Contact Emergency Services

If a tree falls on your home, your first priority is to protect yourself and your family. Remember that your house can be repaired and your property can be replaced. But the safety and health of your loved ones is priceless.

So if a tree falls on your house, make sure everyone is safe. If anyone needs medical attention, don’t hesitate to call 911. If the tree brought down power lines as it fell, if you see fire or smell smoke, call the fire department right away! You’ll be glad you did.

2. Turn Off The Power & Gas In Your Home

If there’s no immediate danger and you know how to; turn off the power and gas in your home. It’s a precautionary measure that could stop a fire from starting if the tree damaged a gas line as it fell.

3. Call The Electric Company

Many times, when a large tree falls, it damages power lines which can cause an outage in your area. You should call the power company to alert them of any damage to power lines or power outages caused by the downed tree.

For reference here are contact numbers for Portland area utility companies:

• Pacific Power – (877) 508-5088
• PGE – (800) 544-1795

You can call and report downed power lines, power outages, and unsafe conditions.

4. Contact Your Home Insurance Agent

Once everyone is safe and the authorities have been notified, call your home insurance agent. They can help you decide what steps to take next and can help you understand what might or might not be covered by your homeowner’s policy.

An insurance assessor will likely come out to your home to inspect the damage before processing your claim. In some cases, you may be able to email pictures of the damage to your insurance agent to speed up the process.

5. Get The Tree Removed & Other Trees Inspected

Next, you’ll need to have the tree removed by a trusted and experienced large tree removal company, like the team here at Northwest Arbor Culture. We’re happy to come out to your home and offer you a free, no-obligation estimate. We can remove large trees and can even grind up and haul away the stump that’s still in the ground.

In most cases, you’ll also want to have other trees on your property inspected as well. The saying “lightning doesn’t strike twice” doesn’t apply to falling trees! Changing soil conditions, tree diseases, and other factors can cause multiple trees to be more likely to fall in your yard. You’ll also want to pay close attention to any trees that might be near your property line and that might fall on your neighbor’s home or yard.

Do not try to remove the tree yourself. Fallen trees are dangerous– especially if they are leaning on your house. Trees can weigh THOUSANDS of pounds and the root ball can act as a counterweight, causing the trunk of the tree to spring back if it is cut free.

For your safety, leave this job to an experienced, certified, licensed, and insured professional.

6. Roof Inspection & Repair

After the tree has been removed, you’ll need to find a trusted local roofing contractor to inspect and repair your roof. Depending on the extent of the damage, a partial roof replacement might be required– and might even be covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy.

Even if there isn’t visible roof damage, your roof should still be inspected. There may be damage under the shingles that could lead to roof leaks later on down the road.

7. Home & Foundation Inspection

Finally, you’ll want to have your home and foundation inspected– especially if you see cracks or splits in the foundation. When a tree falls, the extremely large root ball moves as well. This movement can cause damage to the foundation that you might not notice right away. But over time, this can damage the structure of your house or allow moisture and leaks.

A thorough home inspection can identify problems like these and can help you rest a little easier.

Answers To Your Questions

“What If My Neighbor’s Tree Falls On My House?”

Generally speaking, when it comes to insurance, your policy pays for damage to your property, no matter whose tree it was. In other words, if a tree falls on your house, contact your insurance company.

“What If My Tree Falls On My Neighbor’s House?”

It’s likely that you will only be liable if you were negligent about the condition of the tree. You can protect yourself by having the trees on your property inspected, trimmed, and if necessary, removed.

“What If a Tree Falls On A Shared Fence or Property Line?”

The best case scenario is that you get along well with your neighbors and can split the cost of removing the tree and repairing the fence! Both parties involved can contact their insurance companies and let them decide how to handle things.

“How Can I Tell If A Tree Might Fall?”

Dead trees are most at risk for falling. Disease, severe weather, and other factors can also increase the likelihood that a tree will fall. But only the assistance and trained eye of an experienced tree care professional can help you understand whether a tree is likely to come crashing down.

“I’m About To Buy A House. Are The Current Owners Liable For The Trees?”

If you’re thinking about buying a home in the Portland area, please take the time to have the trees inspected before you make the biggest purchase of your life! A pre-purchase tree inspection can save you thousands down the road– not to mention a lot of headaches.

Do You Need Help With A Tree On Your Property?

If you’re worried that a tree on your property might fall and damage your home, contact Northwest Arbor Culture today. We can inspect your trees and offer our expert advice based on decades of experience as Certified Arborists.

We’re here to help you!

Photo Credits: TheTurducken, slgckgc, John Whitlock, Phil Denton, pml2008, Wayne Truong, David Ensor, Stig Andersen

I can’t think of another city with as much greenery and as many beautiful trees as Portland, can you? The Portland area is home to Forest Park, one of the biggest urban parks in the United States and it’s just filled with beautiful evergreens. Then there are all the other parks scattered around town, which often have unique trees of their own, including fruit trees, elms, oaks, cedars, maples, and many others!

Everywhere you look there are interesting trees to see! Today we’re going to talk about some of the most interesting and notable trees around, Portland’s Heritage Trees!

What is a Heritage Tree?

The Portland City Council maintains a listing of trees that are unique and notable due to their:

• Size
• Historical importance
• Horticultural interest
• Other unique values

Together, these special trees are known as Portland’s Heritage Trees! Altogether, since the program began in 1994, more than 300 trees have been added to the Heritage Trees database and more are being added every year! There are even extra-special trees that are known as Trees of Merit.

How Does a Tree Become a Heritage Tree?

Anyone can nominate a tree as a Heritage Tree! Every year, dozens of applications are received and only the most interesting and important trees are added to the registry. Here’s how the nomination and approval process works:

1. To nominate a tree start by completing and submitting this form before May 1st.
2. During June, the tree will be inspected to see if it should move forward in the process
3. During the Fall, the Urban Forestry commission reviews and approves a select few trees to join the Heritage Tree registry!

Visit Portland’s Heritage Trees!

Now that you know what Portland’s Heritage Trees are, how and where can you see them? Heritage Trees are found all over town– in private backyards, in city parks, in cemeteries, and pretty much everywhere you look!

Each Heritage Tree in Portland is marked by a commemorative plaque detailing important facts about the tree, including its species and when it was certified as a Heritage Tree. Of course, just walking around looking for trees with plaques nearby isn’t the best way to see the variety of Heritage Trees that are on display.

Luckily the City of Portland Parks Department provides a few great resources!

Heritage Tree Maps and Guides

When you’re at your computer, check out this great map featuring all of Portland’s Heritage Trees! You can zoom in and even see pictures of the trees, right on the map!

You can also take a look at lists of trees by:

• Species
• Year designated as a Heritage Tree

If you prefer paper to a computer screen, check out this downloadable, printable guidebook to Portland’s Heritage trees. It features over 60 pages of maps, pictures, and information about Portland’s most special trees!

Of course, when it comes to Portland’s Heritage Trees, there’s also an app for that! You can download the PDX Trees App for your iPhone. It’s 100% free and includes interactive maps and lots of great information!

Heritage Tree Walking Tours

While you can plan out your own route to visit Heritage Trees, there’s a great (and free!) book called From Stumptown to Tree Town, a guidebook featuring a walking tour that highlights a few historical Heritage Trees and uses them to tell the story of Portland’s history! It’s a great resource and you can download it for free right here.

Heritage Tree Podcast

If you’re interested in learning more about specific trees, check out the Heritage Tree Podcast, a series discussing the history and importance of some of Portland’s most notable trees! The podcast was created as part of a student project at Portland State University and you can listen to all of the episodes and read more about the project here.

A Few of My Favorite Heritage Trees!

While there are about 300 Heritage Trees in Portland, a few stand out to me:

Corbett Oak at Heritage Tree Park

You’ll find this beautiful, historic oak in one of Portland’s smallest parks, Heritage Tree Park in Southwest Portland!

Osmanthus in the Chinese Garden

Here’s a fun one! This Heritage Tree is actually inside of the Lan Su Chinese Garden in downtown Portland. You can’t tell from the picture above, but there are high-rise office and apartment buildings less than a block away. The Chinese Garden is a great place to relax amid the hustle and bustle of downtown!

Douglas Fir in Forest Park

Near Balch Creek in Forest Park, you’ll find the tallest Heritage Tree, a Douglas Fir standing nearly 250 feet tall! It’s about 100 yards from the stone house on the Lower Macleay trail. If you’ve never hiked in Forest Park before, you’ll love it! The start of the trail is just a few minutes from downtown.

Do You Have a Heritage Tree in Your Yard?

What does it mean to have a Heritage Tree on your property? First the good news! You’ve got a piece of Portland history in your yard and you should be proud of it. But you also need to be aware of your responsibilities.

Heritage trees can’t be removed without approval from both the Urban Forestry Commission and the City Council. Plus you’ll need a permit before pruning or cutting any branches from a Heritage tree!

If you have a Heritage Tree in your yard or on your property, contact NW Arbor Culture online or call us at (503) 538-8733 for a free consultation. We can help you figure out if your tree is healthy or if it needs a little TLC!

We have over 30 years of experience caring for trees in the Portland area and know how to make sure your tree lives a long, healthy life.

Photo Credits: brx0, Jonathan Miske, Nick Fisher, D Coetzee

If you’re a homeowner in Portland, planting a tree can be a great investment. Not only are trees beautiful, but some studies show they can actually increase the value of your home. Plus, trees are functional, too. Their root systems help hold soil in place, their branches can be home to birds, squirrels, and other wildlife, trees provide shade and privacy, and some even grow fruit you can enjoy!

But what are the best trees to plant in Portland? How do you care for the trees you plant? And what do you need to know before planting your first tree?

Keep reading to find out.

Where to Plant

Deciding where to plant a tree is just as important as the tree you decide to plant. A tree planted in the wrong place may end up dying or not growing to its full potential or it may even do damage to your home.

Safety first!

Don’t plant trees where they may interfere with overhead power lines.

Remember that trees will grow for years and years, so it might take some time until they cause a problem. There’s nothing more frustrating than investing time and money nurturing a tree and then discovering that it needs to be cut down.

Don’t forget about underground utility lines. Before planting any tree, contact the Oregon Utility Notification Center at (503) 246-6699 to find out if there are any buried lines you need to be aware of.

Protect Your Home

Improperly planted trees can be dangerous to your home. We recommend you plant any tree at least 10 feet from your home and 5 feet away from your fence or property line.

By doing so, you’ll protect your roof from falling branches, keep your gutter from filling with rotting leaves, avoid cracks in your foundation from your trees’ roots, and reduce the chance of your trees creeping over into your neighbor’s property.

Choose a Location Carefully

As a tree grows it may block natural light. Depending on your point of view, this may be a benefit or a drawback. Sometimes you want a tree that will provide more privacy, but you may not want to block out our precious Oregon sunshine.

When choosing a location, also consider the plants and trees you already have in your yard. Some trees and plants are “thirsty” and require more water than others. Too many thirsty plants and trees in your yard may require you to use more water than you’d like.

If you have questions about which trees and plants work well together, get in touch with me. I’d love to help you out.

What to Plant

Once you’ve decided where to plant a tree, you’ve got to choose what type of tree you’d like to plant. Luckily, living in Oregon there are plenty of great choices!

I recommend choosing trees to plant based not on their appearance, but their purpose. A leafy deciduous tree may look beautiful from the street, but if you hate seeing leaves on the ground, you’re going to regret planting one in your yard.

Let’s look at a few reasons why you might want to plant a tree, as well as a few of the best trees for each purpose.

Street Trees

Street trees are trees planted between your yard and your sidewalk. They provide a bit of privacy and can look great too.

In Portland, the city has strict requirements about the types of street trees you can plant. Depending on where you live in the city, you might be able to plant one of the following trees:

Alders

A photo posted by Wharton Farms Goat Milk Soap (@wharton_farms) on Oct 14, 2015 at 11:11am PDT

Alders are beautiful trees that flower each March. They grow quickly and look great!  

Elms There are many varieties of elm trees that can be planted as street trees. They grow quickly and have really great fall colors!

Trees for Privacy

If you’re planting trees near your fence or property line for extra privacy, you’ve got a few good options. Look for trees with thick dense branches and leaves, like:  

Holly Holly is a fast-growing, dense evergreen. It’s one of the most popular trees to plant when you’re looking for privacy or security.  

Bamboo

A photo posted by Neusa Gaytan (@neusagaytan) on Nov 17, 2015 at 5:39pm PST

Bamboo goes incredibly quickly and since it grows straight up, it doesn’t have to take up a lot of room to provide a lot of privacy.

Cedar

A photo posted by @livingtreehouse on Nov 17, 2015 at 10:01am PST

Cedar trees grow quickly, are tolerant to drought conditions, and also resistant to most insects and other pests.

Fruit-bearing Trees

Trees that bear fruit can be fun to have in your yard! They can provide tasty and nutritious fruit for you and your family to enjoy. But harvesting the fruit can be a bit of a chore. Luckily, in Portland there’s the Portland Fruit Tree Project, a group who will take fruit from your trees and give it to people in need. What a cool idea! Some of my favorite fruit trees to plant include:  

Apple Trees Apples are a classic Pacific Northwest tree that can produce delicious fruit for years and years. Just look at the color on those blossoms! Cherry Trees Cherry trees grow quickly and their fruit is really easy to pick!

Fig Trees

A photo posted by Johanna (@rosenbladet) on Oct 9, 2015 at 11:26pm PDT

Fig trees grow quickly and produce a lot of fruit that can be made into jams and jellies, or eaten right off the tree! Most fig trees will produce fruit twice a year, once in the summer and once again in early fall.

Shade Trees

A nice shade tree or two can protect your lawn, keep hot sun off your windows, and give a bit of privacy too.

My favorite shade trees include:

Maple Trees

A photo posted by ♡sakko♡ (@sakko716) on Dec 3, 2015 at 3:26pm PST

Maples provide great shade and great fall colors!  

Dogwood Trees

A photo posted by Maggie Ross McNeely (@maggiesgardentx) on Nov 28, 2015 at 11:13am PST

Dogwoods provide great shade and are some of the most beautiful flowering trees, too.

Caring for Trees

Caring for trees isn’t as hard as you might think. When they’re young, they don’t need much more than mulch and water. Depending on the type of tree, your tree may need to be staked to keep it grow straight.

As trees grow, however, they are likely to need a bit more maintenance. You may need to rake their leaves or prune their branches to keep them from getting out of control. Some trees may also need to be checked for insects, fungus or disease to keep them healthy.

If you need help caring for the trees you plant in your yard, get in touch with us. At Northwest Arbor Culture we have over 30 years experience caring for trees in the Portland area.

Call us at (503) 538-8733 for a free estimate and to learn more about how we can help you and your trees!

Photo Credits: Crystal Williams, rjp, Matt Buck, InAwe, Kathy Knorr, Mike Linksvayer