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Oregon Dept. of Forestry offers Toledo technical help on urban trees, pests and planning
Summary
State urban‑forestry staff told the Toledo City Council that trees are essential infrastructure, outlined best‑management practices including “right tree, right place,” warned about pests such as emerald ash borer, and offered free inventory tools, canopy data and training to support local planning.
Evan Elder Brock of the Oregon Department of Forestry and consultant Allison O’Sullivan told the Toledo City Council that urban trees perform infrastructure functions — filtering air and stormwater, moderating heat, and supporting public health and local economies — and that stewardship requires data, community engagement and clear planting standards.
“All of this framing of what our program does is generally work with cities or nonprofits within cities or other community partners, in the stewardship of trees,” said Evan Elder Brock, identifying himself as a community assistance forester with the Oregon Department of Forestry. Allison O’Sullivan and Brock described the “right tree, right place” principle and showed tools the state provides, including free tree‑inventory and canopy analysis software to help prioritize planting locations.
Presenters emphasized prevention and long‑term maintenance: early structural pruning, root preparation at planting and biodiversity in species selection to reduce risk from pests and pathogens. “If a tree was not planted in the right place… it needs sun exposure, but it’s in a very shady spot,” Allison O’Sullivan said, explaining how poor siting increases susceptibility to disease and pests.
They also offered program support: workshops, planting trainings, pest‑preparedness planning, and connections to funding opportunities. The presenters noted the state program administers Tree City USA recognition and encouraged Toledo to use the tools and to schedule follow‑up trainings; staff agreed to circulate the presentation and handouts to the city recorder.
The talk concluded with several council members thanking the presenters and noting Toledo’s existing Tree City USA status; staff agreed to coordinate training for local volunteers and public‑works personnel.
