Portlanders love their trees. Our soaring Douglas firs, moss-draped bigleaf maples, and verdant ravines are more than just scenery—they are the city’s lungs, heritage, and identity. We pride ourselves on being a community that protects our wild spaces. Yet beneath our world-renowned canopy lurks a silent, deceptive threat. It’s vibrant, glossy, and evergreen. To a … Read more
As we pack up our beach towels and sunscreen for 2026 and start unboxing the sweaters from the back of the closet, Hoyt Arboretum is undergoing its own seasonal changeover. The green canopy that carried us through summer is beginning to give way to a slow-burning show of gold, crimson, and copper that transforms the … Read more
Attend a few guided hikes at Hoyt Arboretum and if you’re like me, you might notice that some of the Chinese trees in the collections seem like they belong in an Indiana Jones movie. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Living Fossils “This rare tree grew from a seed smuggled out of China…” (Cathaya … Read more
Last week, Hoyt Arboretum’s Curator, Martin Nicholson took a rare Friday off. Naturally, that was when a package containing live animals arrived at the Visitor Center. It had been hand-delivered to the front desk, labeled “PERISHABLE”. Luckily, PP&R Horticulturist Vinny was around the corner to recognize the situation for what it was: not a surprise … Read more
You know the drill for a classic summer day: towel, sunscreen, head to the beach. At the Arboretum, we do things a little differently — swap the sand for shade and spend your day at the beech instead. No waves, but plenty of cool, leafy canopy and a breeze rustling through the branches. Meet the … Read more