Arbor Month in Parks & Recreation
Lake Oswego: A Tree City USA for 36 Consecutive Years
Thank You for Celebrating Arbor Month with Us!
As Arbor Month comes to a close, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s celebration so meaningful.
With the support of our Parks & Recreation and Planning Departments, community volunteers, local organizations, and dedicated staff, we honored Lake Oswego’s 36th consecutive year as a Tree City USA—and celebrated our continued growth with the Tree City USA Growth Award. Your efforts, from tree plantings to nature walks and educational outreach, have strengthened our urban forest and deepened our shared commitment to sustainability.
A special shout-out to Ranger Ben and our creative Parks team for their engaging videos and social media highlights throughout the month. If you haven’t yet, be sure to explore our “Tree of the Week” series and learn more about the unique trees that shape our community.
Week 1: April 1 – April 6
Oregon White Oak, located at East Waluga Park, 15505 Quarry Rd
Quercus garryana
Native to the Pacific Northwest, the Oregon white oak stands as an essential tree in both ecological and cultural realms. This iconic tree anchors the crucial oak meadows habitat that local indigenous peoples cultivated for first foods production.
Week 2: April 7 – April 13
Pacific Madrone, located at Luscher Farm – Farr Property, 125 S Rosemont Rd
Arbutus menziesii
Recognizable as one of the few broadleaf evergreen trees native to the Willamette Valley, the Pacific madrone creates a sense of wonder. With copper peeling bark that reveals a smooth green wood underneath, a decreasing population thrives with appropriate care.
Week 3: April 14 – April 20
Douglas-fir, located at Iron Mountain Park, 2401 Iron Mountain Blvd
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Transport yourself to tropical landscapes with the majestic Windmill Palm. With its distinctive fan-shaped fronds and graceful silhouette, this cold-hardy palm brings a touch of exotic elegance to gardens, parks, and urban landscapes alike.
Week 4: April 21 – April 27
Bigleaf Maple, located at George Rogers Park, 611 S State St
Acer macrophyllum
An outstanding specimen of this iconic tree, the “Octopus” bigleaf maple contains eleven leading trunks to create a base that is over 6 feet in diameter? Come find this amazing tree next to another amazing bigleaf maple nicknamed “Scuba Steve”.
Week 5: April 28 – May 3
Tree Identification Tags
Fagus sylvatica ‘purpurea’
Ever see a silver metal tag nailed to a tree? Come learn about tree identification tags and why they are necessary for arborists and land managers to manage tree stands. Please do not remove these tags, but feel free to call-in if you have any questions.
Join us in celebrating these remarkable trees and discovering the profound beauty and importance they bring to our planet.
Let's honor and protect our arboreal friends for generations to come!
