In case you hadn’t noticed, trees are a very big deal in Lake Oswego.

We plant them, protect them, line our streets with them, honor them and this month we celebrate them as part of the city’s first-ever Lake Oswego Arbor Month. Such fanfare seems appropriate for a city that is in its 32^nd year qualifying as a Tree City USA from the National Arbor Day Foundation.

Here are some ways you can share in the tree-love this month.

TREE PRUNING WORKSHOP. Learn the best pruning practices to develop healthy, strong, and attractive trees and shrubs from ISA Board Certified Master Arborist Damon Schrosk of Treecology, Inc. Pre-registration is required and capacity is limited to 20 Lake Oswego residents due to social distancing measures. Free registration by calling 503.635.0290 or email planning@lakeoswego.city. Saturday, April 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Foothills Park Pavilion, 199 Foothills Road.

HUNT FOR THE GNOMES IN NATURE. Lake Oswego’s stewardship gnomes, Blossom, Greenie and Oak, will be hiding out in three different natural area parks from April to October. Visit lo-stewardship.org for monthly park locations and gnome clues. Post pictures of you with a gnome on social media using the hashtag #LOparksgnomes for a chance to win your very own gnome in October. Here’s where they’ll be hanging out in April:

Foothills Park, 199 Foothills Road

River Run Park, 19698 River Run Drive

Stevens Meadows, 18600 Shirley Drive

HERITAGE TREE TOUR. Download a copy of Lake Oswego’s Heritage Tree map and set out to explore our city’s tree heritage. To qualify for the designation, trees must be healthy and have historical, cultural, environmental, or physical qualities that set them apart. You’ll find a wide assortment including douglas-fir, American elm, ponderosa pine, giant sequoias, madrone, sycamore and gingko. You should find a plaque next to each designated tree.

BECOME AN LO TREE HERO. While ivy may look pretty climbing up a tree, the climbing vine poses a danger to the tree’s health. How? That ivy is competing for the same nutrients the tree needs, weighing down its branches making them vulnerable to wind, and eventually weakening the tree making it a target for pests. Learn how to safely remove ivy from trees with this tutorial on the Oswego Lake Watershed Council. Then, armed with the right information and tools, head out with your new superpowers. Be sure to only remove ivy on property that you own, or if you have explicit permission to remove ivy there! Take before and after photos, and share your progress on social media. Include the hashtag #LOTreeHero so others can see your work. 

BE A TREE DETECTIVE. The City of Lake Oswego is relying on community volunteers to help them gather data on the health and diversity of our urban forest. This information will hep arborists, scientists, and city planners better understand the economic and ecological benefits of our urban forest. The Oswego Lake Watershed Council is hosting an online training session:

•Wednesday, April 14, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

To register, visit the Oswego Lake Watershed Council website.

GET DIRTY. Find out the role healthy soil plays in creating a healthy forest by attending an Earth Day workshop on the microscopic organisms that break down organic material for food, returning vital nutrients back into the ecosystem. Then follow that up by participating in an experiment to see just what those organisms manage to do to a brand-new pair of 100% cotton underwear you bury under 6-inches of soil. Here are the details:

            •Get to Know Your Dirt (Virtual Zoom) Workshop on April 22, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

            •Soil Your Undies Kickoff with free cotton underwear giveaways on April 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Luscher Farm or Lake Oswego or Lakeridge High Schools.

To register, visit the watershed’s website.

Stay up-to-date on what’s happening in Lake Oswego by subscribing to my blog. Click the “Sign me up” button in the top right-hand column. And if you are considering moving to, away from or within Lake Oswego, give me a call at 503.939.9801, email me at costellok@hasson.com and/or check out my website. I’ve been a Lake Oswego Realtor for over 30 years and I’d love to put my experience to work making your next move your best one!