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Troutdale unveils first Urban Forestry Management Plan, cites uneven canopy and staffing needs
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Summary
City staff and consultants presented Troutdale's first Urban Forestry Management Plan and a public-facing street-tree manual, funded in part by a $100,000 state grant, recommending steps to diversify canopy, stabilize funding and expand staff capacity.
Erica Palmer, Troutdale's community development director, told the Parks Advisory Committee on April 15 that the city has completed its first Urban Forestry Management Plan and a companion street-tree manual, and will publish a public draft for comment.
Rose Newberry, project manager from consultant Dudek, walked committee members through the plan's process, appendices and findings. The plan includes a canopy analysis and an inventory of street and public trees, summaries of three public engagement events and a survey, and a code audit intended to clarify how tree removal and replacement permits will be processed.
"We heard that residents of Troutdale love their trees," Newberry said, noting trade-offs expressed in the outreach: safety concerns about falling branches and sidewalk damage, and a desire for shade, wildlife habitat and mature trees. The consultant reported that 38 percent of survey respondents said they would be more likely to plant trees if the risk of property damage were reduced.
The plan rests on five principles: maintain and enhance the urban forest through funded practices; provide training and education for residents; promote species diversity and pest resistance; improve data collection and monitoring; and integrate trees into city planning and climate adaptation. The street-tree manual is aimed at homeowners and contains species guidance, pruning, root-barrier recommendations and spacing guidelines tied to utilities and fire hydrants.
Palmer told the committee the plan was funded in part by a $100,000 grant from the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development and that the city will publish the materials for public comment. She thanked staff and consultants, saying the work provides "a beginning or jumping-off point" to expand urban forestry efforts.
Committee members focused questions on accessibility of the tree list and manual. One member asked whether the 131-entry plant list would be downloadable and sortable; Palmer said staff will consult IT about providing an Excel or CSV export and explore visual cues (icons, native-species tags) to help residents choose appropriate trees.
Next steps include posting a public draft for comment, linking the plan to the city's development code and the existing heritage-tree process, and considering capacity and funding for implementation.
