Tree Management Commission

The City of Portland continues to be recognized as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation and continues to promote tree-planting practices. Trees are good for our environment, are a renewable resource, and increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify our community.

The Tree Management Commission met twice in 2014. They met on April 21, 2014 to bag White Pine seedlings that were presented to all 2nd graders in the Portland School District in conjunction with Arbor Week. Hank Gingrich presented the seedlings to the students along with information on planting as well as a short history of the State tree. The second meeting of the Tree Management Commission was on April 25, 2014 to perform a tree planting at Two Rivers Park.
treeplanting 2014b

Members

Name Address Phone
Charles Carr 324 East St. 517-647-7275
Lonny Freed 611 James St. 517-647-7598
Charlsie Abel 143 N, Water St. 517-647-3211
Doug Logel Sr. 858 Maynard Rd. 517-647-7071
Kathy Ness 1774 Divine Hwy.  
Tree Planting Information
The City ordinance provides for a list of prohibited species because providing an exhaustive list of "approved" species would be too voluminous. 

Prohibited species means and includes any tree of popular (populus sp.), willow (salix sp.), box elder (acer negundo), silver maple (acer sac-charinum), thorny locust (robina sp.), tree of heaven (ailanthus altissima), catalpa (catalpa ap.), mulberry (morus sp.), Siberian elm(ulmus pumila),birch (betula sp.), and any other species so determined by the commission. No ornamental trees or conifers, nor any trees with fruit or nuts.

Curb lawn means the property between the portion of the right-of-way used for vehicular traffic and the sidewalk or, when there is no sidewalk, it will be the legal measurement from the center of the street to the property line.

Trees planted in the curb lawn should be at least 2” caliper trees.

**Prior to purchasing/planting a tree in the curb lawn, please contact the Parks Director, Mary Scheurer at (517) 647-7985**

**Always contact Miss Dig prior to digging or excavating**