Welcome to Re-Forest the City! Scroll down for information on our Free Native Tree/Shrub program, Street Mulching program, Empty Street Tree Well Beautification program, and more. We hope to see you soon!

ReForest the City is a grassroots effort to encourage restoration of our urban tree canopy. Although Portland is known as “Forest City,” our urban tree canopy throughout the city has decreased dramatically in the last 50 years. Trees are incredibly important for a myriad of reasons, including general enjoyment, air quality, habitat for birds, and mental health. ReForest has great partners on this project: the City of Portland Parks Department and the City’s wonderful new arborist Mark Reiland; Maine Audubon’s Bringing Nature Home program; Portland Parks Conservancy; and the Portland Sustainability Office.

In 2025, we are expanding our project’s footprint to include the other Maine Medical Center adjacent neighborhoods: Parkside; St. John’s Valley; Libbytown and Western Promenade (see map below) as well as the West End. So if you live in any of these neighborhoods, we’d love you to participate however you see fit. We are also always looking for volunteers!

Our Current Initiatives

Native Tree Planting Program: During the Spring and Fall of 2025, we will be planting native trees and shrubs in the yards of residents who apply. With a small community grant from Maine Medical Center and technical assistance from Maine Audubon, ReForest the City project will provide a free native tree or shrub to residents in the West End, Parkside, St. John’s Valley, Libbytown and Western Promenade (see map below), help you select a planting location and species, and we will even plant the tree for you! We hope to plant up to 50 native trees/bushes this year. Apply here. Available species include: Alternate-leaved Dogwood; American Hornbeam; American Linden; American Witchhazel; Beach Plum; Black Chokeberry; Black Gum; Canada Serviceberry; Gray Birch; Highbush Blueberry; Nannyberry; Northern Spicebush; Pussy Willow; Red Maple; Red-twig Dogwood; Silky Dogwood; Smooth Arrowwood; Sugar Maple;With-rod; and White Oak .

Or, Volunteer to Plant Native Trees/Shrubs: We will be holding an optional siting/species selection training on Tuesday, April 15th at Maine Audubon Gilsland Farms Education Center. And join us for spring planting days: Saturday, May 17 and Saturday, June 14th. (Further dates to follow.) For more info email trees@wenamaine.org or call/text 207-233-5184.

Adopt A Street Tree: We are working with the City to create an “Adopt a Tree” program where residents commit to mulching a street tree to help with water retention. Compacted soil, car doors, animal waste, and vandalism all take their toll on the trees that line our streets. Mulching can make a huge difference in tree health!

  • We will be kicking off this effort with a Mulching Party to be held on Saturday, May 3rd from 2-4 pm. Party location: Taylor Street Park-West End. We will have a list of recently planted street trees that could use a little mulching love! We will provide mulch, compost and mulching instructions.

  • Or, mulch at your convenience through the spring, summer, and fall. We will provide you with a list of recently planted street trees, mulch, and compost.

Empty Tree Well Beautification: We are working with the City of Portland to develop a list of native non-woody perennials that we encourage folks to plant (and care for) in empty street tree wells. More info to follow shortly. (Note these plantings have the potential to be disrupted for a new street tree planting, City utility work, or sidewalk construction if required by the City in the future.)

Want to Get Involved?

We are always looking for volunteers – whether you have a background in horticulture, are willing to wield a spade, or just want to help out with the fun, we would love to have you join the team. Email us at trees@wenamaine.org or call/text 2072335184

If you’d like to be on our mailing list, please email us at trees@wenamaine.org.

Where can I learn more

  • Project Canopy, a website and newsletter produced by the Maine Forest Service addressing urban tree canopy.  
  • Learn about the many benefits of trees. TreePeople is an organization in southern California working to improve urban tree canopy, and serves as an inspiration to what we can do.

Contact Us

Have questions or need help? Use the form to reach out and we will be in touch with you as quickly as possible.