Arbor Month Art Contest 2026
Invent a Tree!
This Arbor Month, the City invited K-5th grade students in Lake Oswego to invent their very own tree species and bring it to life by creating an original work of art. Participants were asked to draw, color, paint or create a collage, then scan or photograph their art and submit it online along with the name of their tree species and a short description. Where does it grow? What makes it special? Who or what might live in your tree? This contest was all about celebrating trees and your amazing imaginations!
The contest closed on April 30 and first, second and third place winners were selected in each of two grade divisions: kindergarten through second grade and third through fifth grade. Prizes will be awarded at the Lake Oswego Farmers’ Market on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Check out this year’s Arbor Month Art Contest Winners below.
Kindergarten through Second Grade Division
First Place: Asher Chapman, Second Grade - The Infinite Jungle Gym Tree - “My tree is inspired by my love of the Hallinan playground behind my house. The infinite jungle gym tree grows new branches every month with new equipment, so kids don't get tired of it. They grow close to where kids live so it's easy to walk or bike to them.
Second Place: Annabelle Russo, Second Grade – The Tree of Love - “The spirit of love lives in my tree.”
Third Place: Bo Johnson, Kindergarten - Big Foot Tree - “The Big Foot planted it in the wild! Big Foot lives in it! When Big Foot comes out at night to get food the tree glows in the dark!”
Third through Fifth Grade Division
First Place: Violet Terpstra, Fourth Grade - Beauty and Knowledge - “My tree, Beauty and Knowledge, grows only in Lake Oswego and Japan. The tree was a gift to the City of Lake Oswego from Japan, its Kanji on the art shows its name in Japanese. It requires a lot of love and attention to grow to full size and is usually found in backyards. It loves living in Lake Oswego because we have so many caring families. The tree is a variety of cherry blossom and often attracts squirrels and children because it has a unique feature. When the tree flowers, the flower turns into cotton candy instead of cherries. One special flower on the tree turns five different colors each year. If you are the lucky person who finds this flower, you can eat it and turn into any animal you want at any time for an entire year, until the tree blossoms again. It always has a panda and capybara protecting the tree from anything that is dangerous to the tree. Many children enjoy watching the guardians of the tree as much as they like the fruit that grows when the tree blossoms.”
Second Place: Wren Saylor, Fourth Grade - Donut Churro Tree - “If you’re walking around town and you’re ready for a treat, then go down the street! To the yummiest tree on earth...The donut churro tree! The branches are churros and the tree is a donut!!! And best of all, you get them for free! It’s best to get your donuts at spring. It comes with chocolate chips!”
Third Place: Vicki Hu, Fourth Grade - Rainbow Bubble Tree - “My tree’s name is the rainbow bubble tree. It grows in China. And the squirrel and bird live in it.”
2022 Arbor Month Art Contest Entries
2023 Arbor Month Art Contest Entries
2024 Arbor Month Art Contest Entries
2025 Arbor Month Art Contest Entries
2026 Arbor Month Art Contest Entries