Tree Planting

Milwuakie is committed to increasing the city's tree canopy to 40% coverage by the year 2040. The Urban Forest Management Plan was adopted to provide an outline to meet several goals, policies and actions that are essential in maximizing the benefits of Milwaukie's trees. Tree canopy coverage is increased through planting, proper maintenance and preservation.

Planting season

The ideal time to plant trees is fall-spring. Plantings during the summertime require extra watering to ensure tree survival and establishment. If a non-development permit is issued outside of the ideal planting time, planting may be deferred until the next planting season in order to promote survivability. 

Tree size requirements

Tree plantings required after a removal permit is approved. Newly planted trees being used to meet removal permit requirements must meet the minimum caliper or height size as defined below. This is to encourage planting larger caliper trees, which will have more desirable established structure. 

Tree caliper is the trunk diameter measured at 6" above the tree's natural ground line for trees <4", or at 12" for trees >4".

Broadleaf tree size requirements: Minimum of 1.5 inches caliper at the time of planting

Conifer tree size requirements: Minimum of 5 feet tall at the time of planting

Note: Voluntary private tree plantings unrelated to removal permits do not need to meet size requirements. Tree plantings in the right-of-way must meet the above size requirements.

Tree species for planting

Tree re-planting is a condition of removal permit approval. There are minimum size requirements for newly planted trees in the right-of-way and on private property.

Right-of-way tree species must be selected from the city's approved street tree list that corresponds to planting site conditions. Tree plantings must technically be a "tree" not a shrub. Shrubs cannot substitute for a tree.

Private tree re-plantings do not have species requirements, but must meet the size requirements. 

Call before you dig!

Call The Oregon Utility Locate Notification Center (OUNC) at least two days before starting any digging project. The OUNC will coordinate with utility service providers to mark the locations of underground utilities to avoid damaging underground lines. Utility locates can be requested one of the following ways:

• Call 811 or 1.800.332.2344 (toll free)
• Submit a request via the Dig Safely Oregon website

Branch Out Milwaukie

Branch Out Milwaukie was developed in partnership with Portland State University to help users identify areas in Milwaukie where tree planting will have the greatest impact

Neighborhood tree planting events

Friends of Trees is a local nonprofit that plants street and yard trees in the Portland metro area and beyond. Milwaukie residents can sign up to have trees planted in their yards or adjacent parking strips at little to no cost during their annual Milwaukie planting event. Community members can also sign up to volunteer with them to help plant, maintain and lead other volunteer events. Keep an eye on their event calendar to know when to register for the Milwaukie planting event.

View the resources attached at the bottom of this webpage for more information about tree planting

Questions? Contact the Urban Forest Department at urbanforest@milwaukieoregon.gov or 503.786.7655