Why This Matters
Between December 2022 and January 2024, six Douglas fir trees fell in Durham’s Heron Grove neighborhood during three separate storm events. Two homes were completely destroyed. Five others had significant damage. One of the trees nearly crushed two young girls who were playing inside a home. These were not just random acts of nature. They were preventable tragedies waiting to happen. The people of Durham responded with urgency and purpose. Together, we called for change. The City Council formed a tree committee. We listened to arborists and our neighbors. We wrote a new ordinance that made it easier to remove truly hazardous trees - before someone gets hurt. But now, that progress is at risk.
The City Attorney’s Version Ignores Our Safety
Instead of adopting the revised code created by the Tree Committee and amended by City Council, the city attorney has rewritten the ordinance from scratch - removing the very provisions we fought for.
Here’s what’s at stake if the city adopts the city attorney’s version:
- It might not be an issue today, but if you ever need to remove a hazardous tree, you'll face an uphill battle. Even trees we know are likely to fall could be stuck standing.
- You’ll need to hire an arborist and navigate a burdensome permit process - even when your family’s safety is at stake. Current and future city administrators will have more decision-making authority on tree removals and may require arborist reports on all applications.
- Hazard trees will remain standing until they fall - possibly on your home, your car, or your loved ones.
What We’re Asking For
We urge the Durham City Council to restore the hazard tree provisions written by Durham’s Tree Committee.
These provisions:
- Are backed by the latest scientific literature, specifically Tree Risk Assessment, Second Edition.
- Were reviewed and supported by the City Arborist and a former mayor who is also an arborist.
- Include clear, common sense criteria such as significant lean, root damage, “lone soldier” trees, area failure history, canopy starting height, and wind exposure.
- Do not require an expensive arborist report for removal.
These rules were designed to keep you safe - without jumping through hoops. And they must be included in the ordinance itself, not buried in an obscure city policy document.
We urge the Durham City Council to create a public oversight process for removing trees on city-owned land - especially in Rivendell Forest.
The citizens of Durham paid for this land. We care about these trees. The city should not have the power to remove them without public input.
If residents must follow a process to remove a tree, the city should, too.
If the city adopts the attorney’s version:
- City staff could remove any tree on public land at any time, with no warning and no accountability.
How You Can Help
Email City Leaders
Let them know where you stand. Tell them to reject the attorney’s version of the code and restore the original hazard tree and public oversight provisions.
Send your message to:
Upcoming Events
- April 22, 6 p.m.: City Council working session with City Attorney and Arborist - open to the public under Oregon Sunshine Laws. Email cityofdurham@comcast.net for the Zoom link.
- May 6, 6 to 8 p.m.: Tree Ordinance Town Hall at Juanita Pohl Center, 8513 SW Tualatin Rd.
- May 27, 7:30 p.m.: First Reading of the Ordinance - a critical time to speak out if safety and oversight provisions are not included. Meeting Location is Juanita Pohl Center, 8513 SW Tualatin Rd.
Show Up. Speak Up. Stay Informed.
Read the Different Versions of the Tree Ordinance
- City Council version which includes hazard tree and city oversight provisions - Click Here
- City Attorney version - Click Here
Let’s Keep Durham Safe and Accountable
This isn’t about politics - it’s about protecting people and honoring the hard work of Durham residents who came together in good faith to improve our community. The Tree Committee did their job. The citizens spoke clearly. It’s time for City Council to listen.