FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PORTLAND, ORE. (Feb. 10, 2012) – Airport Way Tree Thinning Planned

Maintenance crews will begin thinning trees Monday along Northeast Airport Way near Portland International Airport to promote overall tree health.

About 12 years ago, the trees were planted densely to immediately achieve visually pleasing landscaping for airport travelers. With that density came the long-range need to thin the trees, which are now root bound and more susceptible to disease. The thinning will also better align the landscaping with the wildlife hazard management plan standards that were recently adopted as part of Airport Futures, the integrated, long-range development plan for PDX.

During the next three weeks, crews will remove approximately 15 percent of the more than 1,600 trees located primarily in the median of Airport Way between I-205 and Northeast 82nd Avenue. Electronic roadway signs will advise motorists of single lane closures at times on Airport Way, but no major delays are expected for motorists.

Similar thinning is anticipated on airport property during the next few years in an effort to continue to promote overall tree health, and align with landscaping standards. Over the years, the Port of Portland has helped plant 1,000 trees to support the urban canopy through annual contributions to Friends of Trees.