Keeping bike lanes free of annoying and dangerous debris like gravel, leaves and automobiles has always been a problem in Portland (and everywhere bikes exist). Despite this perennial issue, our transportation agencies still don’t have a solid plan to keep bikeways swept, clear and safe 24/7/365.
This year it seems like yet another obstacle is coming our way: tree branches.
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It’s been an absolutely beautiful spring in Portland. An unseasonably warm and dry year has created the most spectacular blooms I’ve ever seen in my 17 years here. Gardens and parks are jaw-droppingly beautiful. Importantly, this record growth also applies to street trees — and their branches that hang into bike lanes.
I started seeing this on North Rosa Parks in my neighborhood during the past few weeks. There’s a spot on our ride to school where I opt to swerve out of the protected lane to avoid the branches (my 10-year-old prefers to bomb on through). Overall there are 3-4 spots where branches slam into our heads. It’s become sort of a game.
Then yesterday I came across a post from a reader on Instagram who had the same experience on SE 17th (see image at right). Reactions to that post (including one person who told me several spots on SW Terwilliger cover half the bike lane) convinced me that this was a big enough issue to share here on the front page.
Strangely, even though these branches impact the right-of-way and traffic lanes, keeping them clear is not the responsibility of the transportation bureau. The issue is handled through Urban Forestry. From my research, it appears there are a few ways to get these branches cut and cleared.
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Since street trees (defined as trees between the sidewalk and the curb) are the responsibility of the adjacent property owner (which could be a business or homeowner or city agency if the tree is in a property owned by Parks, Water Bureau or some other agency), it’s probably best not to cut the branches yourself. I know many of you are self-reliant and probably have the urge to simply make a few trimmings; but that could get you in hot water with a homeowner or the City of Portland (and in today’s heated social environment, it’s best to avoid taking things into your own hands). Instead, there’s a hotline where you can call in a location: 503-823-2633 (TREE) or trees@portlandoregon.gov. That hotline is monitored by the Urban Forestry and, depending on the issue, they can follow-up with an inspection and notify the property owner to prune the tree.
According to Urban Forestry’s website, a permit is required to prune any tree in the right-of-way, unless the branches are less than 1/2 inch in diameter.
If you want some measure of what’s acceptable when it comes to branch overhang, city code requires tree branches to remain 7.5 feet above sidealks, 11 feet above local streets, and 14 feet above arterials or collectors. Suffice it to say there are probably thousands of guilty branches out there!
Keep in mind that after a wild winter (remember that ice storm?) and a sultry spring, Urban Foresty is way behind dealing with these issues, and with budget woes and general lack of staffing to begin with, it could be weeks until they address your concern.
If you have any other questions about this, or want to share conditions on bikeways where you ride, let us know in the comments.
Links:
— Urban Forestry: How to report tree code violations.
— Portland City Code Title 11 – Trees
— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org
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— Support this independent community media outlet with a one-time contribution or monthly subscription.
SE Morrison between 10th and 11th has a row of problematic trees growing into the bike lane.
I kind of think it’s fun to duck under leaves and branches, maybe have them brush my head. That may be an unpopular opinion?
So, it’s not important to consider the sight-impaired?
BTW, I can find you some places where your head will be “brushed” by thorns!
There are loads of Himalayan blackberry covering the asphalt of the bike lanes on SW Scholls Ferry Road. I wish Washington County would do something about it for the only somewhat continuous bicycle lanes in Raleigh Hills (and nearby West Slope).
their are blackberries covering some of the bike lanes on Fremont from 102nd-122nd
I’m 6’2″ and so trees over sidewalks are more likely to poke me in the eye than most.
Sometimes when I go for walks around town I take some hand clippers with me and help folks who have forgotten to trim their trees.
Question: where do you throw the branches? Since you’re walking, you have the benefit of being able to throw them [over the fence-if any] into the homeowner’s yards. They’ll really get the message then.
As a cyclist, I’d place them on the planting strip, so as to inconvenience pedestrians the least.
Hypothetically.
I definitely always take the time to move any branches into the homeowner’s yard so they are not blocking the sidewalk. I am absolutely not trying to steal anyone’s compost.
Yeah because people haven’t had anything else on their minds like a global pandemic or anything like that. I’m sure trimming trees is at the bottom of the priority list for many folks some of whom are afraid to even open their front door.
I didn’t start doing this during the pandemic, I have been this tall for damn near 3 decades.
The homeowner is getting free tree trimming. It’s a win-win.
Not all homeowners will agree or cop to it.
Today on my bike I happened to see a person in a yard that has a beautiful but overgrown tree. I asked if they’d mind trimming it. He said, “it’s not mine”. Not “I don’t live here” but “it’s not mine”. Well okay, that’s my permission to do it then.
“I’m too worried about my own safety to worry about anyone else’s. 🙁 I’m so valid!”
Jon,
That’s funny. I think there has been more people doing yard cleanup and gardening in the last year with COVID than there has in the last 10. Everyone is out gardening.
There’s a hotline for that! 503 823 1700.
You’ve listed PBOT’s dispatch number. I think you mean to list the number for forestry, which is 503-823-8733. As the article stated, tree trimming is managed by Parks not PBOT.
I’ve had really mixed results from my dealings with the city. In one case, I complained about tree limbs of trees planted between the street and sidewalk. I was referred by Urban Forestry to the Building Division who referred me back to Urban Forestry. In other cases, the trimming by the homeowner consisted of trimming a few wispy branches when half the sidewalk was blocked by an overgrown hedge. Repeated complaints to the city still did not produce compliance with the code.
I completely understand why pedestrians do a bit of their own pruning.
I agree. The city has essentially stopped enforcing its codes. Or they are so behind it is basically the same as not enforcing. I think it now takes 5 to 6 years for a damaged sidewalk report to get investigated.
I’m curious why you would use the term “Karen”. Aside from its sexist and ageist connotations, it’s also just plain mean to people who happen to be named Karen, some of whom are pretty awesome people. Surely there’s a better way to express what you want to say without perpetuating stereotypes.
Watts,
I use that term because it is a very well-known term that refers to people who take it upon themselves to call authorities and report others. I believe its use has become so common that it is worthwhile to use in this context and I don’t think it is mean to folks with the name Karen. That’s not my name, so I can’t speak for them of course. But when people can restrooms “the john” it doesn’t bother me.
That being said, I’m open to editing it out and removing it from the BikePortland style guide for good. Thanks for the feedback.
It’s really hard for us old guys to keep up with slang terms and/or phrases – especially here in Portland. Thanks for the explanation.
Yeah, I find the term insulting. I think if your name was Karen you would feel differently. The fact that John can be used as a toilet is not really a good analogy, That is simply an object not a negative stereotype associated with someone named John in the way “Karen” is.
I’ve noticed the “woke community” especially seems to like using it as an insult.
Yes, it (Karen) shouldn’t be used. It’s a derogatory term and you know it. It doesn’t exactly go with your mission statement at the top.
I’ve removed it from the story. Thanks for the feedback.
Thank YOU Jonathan!
This article totally resonated w/ me. I got hit in the head by a tree branch today! Planning to bring some loppers w/ me tomorrow
Slightly off topic. N Williams between Knott and Graham has trees along this left side of the road (very much used) bike lane. The roots of the trees make for some uneven pavement but worst of all, in the fall, the hired landscapers blow the leaves off the field to the west of the street right into the bike lane and leave them there. Amazing!
PBOT did recently grind down the bike lane in a few places on that stretch you’re talking about to smooth it out, but it’s still an issue and always will be until the hospital (owner of all those properties) cuts down all those Sweetgum trees, which are not only notorious for lifting up the surrounding pavement and sidewalks, they also drop those hard spiky balls into the bike lane certain times of year. Sweetgums aren’t even allowed to be planted as street trees anymore, and in my opinion they are one of the few types of trees that should be proactively cut down when they’re along streets.
As a 6’5″ individual, this is a big issue for me, and I’ve often resorted to trimming problem trees myself. For larger branches, I highly recommend a small folding saw. They collapse down to 8″ or less, and can make quick work of small to medium branches. Be sure to cut them where they hit the trunk, as cleanly as possible.
Funny, there were a few smallish branches on my former route to work… I tended to just bend them on the way by, hoping to either redirect them or that they’d break, leaving the homeowner to deal with.
Glad to hear I am not the only volunteer arborist helping to keep things clear, I will start cutting a few more inches off.
I watched a PBOT crew just install a new, full-scale “20 mph” sign nearby – they put the sign in the ground immediately (within 3′) of the bushy canopy of a street tree. The front side of the sign is impossible to see from the road unless you are standing next to it looking to the side. what a waste – I guess you can see it in the winter…
Help out your fellow bikers and just cut them yourself! I’m going to start carrying some pruners in my repair pack. We’re on our own in Portland. What’s the homeowner going to do anyway? Call the cops? They’ll show up in like 2-3 weeks. Hahaha.
squareman,
Would be great if people took ownership of their branches instead of saying it’s worse elsewhere.
All fun and games until someone loses an eye. Just sayin’ Thanks for trimming your branches!
My wife’s name really is Karen. She finds it offensive when people use her “name in vain”. Not so cool Jonathan. Thanks!
Your wife sounds like she suffers from Gottron syndrome, my condolences.
bjorn
I had to Google Gottron syndrome. It causes a prematurely aged appearance. How does this apply to Amy’s wife? I’m guessing this is some sort of erudite insult but I think I’m too daft to get it.
Gottron syndrome is an extremely rare inherited disorder characterized by a premature aged appearance (progeroid), especially in the form of unusually fragile, thin skin on the hands and feet (distal extremities). Although the disorder is most typically recognized in early childhood, these characteristic skin findings are present from birth
I’m guessing the implication was the referenced “thin skin”.
Interesting. Guess bjorn is promoting aggressions against women. Not so cool bjorn.
Probably shoud take down his post Jonathan which is an insult and against the site’s mission statement.
?
One thing that could help would be to waive the permit requirement when the branches being trimmed are within the required clearance area. What’s the point of requiring a permit that should always be granted? Does the permit requirement accomplish anything other than adding an obstacle to people who want to keep the required clearance area clear?
qqq, Totally agree with you but in practice we probably don’t need to bother with a permit. I just can’t imagine there would be any negative consequences in “enforcement is bad” Portland. Better to keep the bike path clear than worry about laws that aren’t enforced anyway. Us cyclists need to take care of each other. 🙂
You’re right, there’s not much chance anyone trimming their trees to meet the clearance requirements is going to get cracked down on.
On the other hand, what PBOT should really do is do a public “Trim it Up” campaign to get every property owner to go out next weekend and trim up their branches that are in the way of people biking and walking. But having to add, “First, go get a permit from Urban Forestry to avoid being fined” really throws a wrench into that concept.
“ No permit is required for pruning branches less than 1/2 inch in diameter at attachment to the stem.”
https://www.portland.gov/trees/treepermits/pruning-street-or-heritage-tree-permits/pruning-street-or-heritage-tree-permits#toc-when-is-a-pruning-permit-required-
Yes, I know. It says that above in the article. 1/2″ is tiny, especially when measured “at attachment to the stem”. These are branches that are literally no wider than a pencil a foot or two from the stem, that you can cut with the same small pruning shears you cut flowers with. Why not exempt cutting all branches within the required clearance area? There’s no case where that permit would ever be denied, since the cutting is required. And no point in any review or inspection.
A bit off topic, but whose job is it to control the roundabouts from getting overgrown? The one at Lincoln & 37th has weeds/bushes that really block the view of any oncoming traffic, and Woodward & 58th always has thorny blackberry branches reaching out to grab you, ouch! I’m sure there’s plenty more like that all over the city, those are just a few that I ride past daily.
When I moved to Portland, the fall leaves and rain basically made the bike lanes unusable (wet leaves from October to December). It struck me as very strange that Portland of all places would have bike lanes that were not useful when it rained, although it did explain the need for the mandatory use law.