In early 2024, a severe ice storm knocked down several large old trees that ultimately crushed the picnic structure at Mt. Tabor Park. What was done with the timber from the downed trees? Did the parks bureau mill it to build the new picnic structure currently under construction? If not, what happened to all that lumber? —Tabor Tree Hugger
As someone who not only writes for a newspaper, but whose column actually appears in the section of that newspaper called, specifically, “News,” I’ve noticed that editors get weirdly judgy about questions received in late 2026 that begin with “in early 2024.” Such articles (they whine) don’t crackle with that ripped-from-tomorrow’s-headlines urgency so prized by the Pulitzer committee. Luckily for you and me, Hugger, that Mt. Tabor picnic structure is still being built—that gives us a fig leaf of timeliness to hide behind (though not one large enough to wear safely within 1,000 feet of a school).
The most common fate for city-owned trees felled by storms or removed for safety reasons is the same as that of Steve Buscemi in Fargo: They’re fed into a wood chipper and turned into bark-o-mulch. In this case, however, Portland Parks & Recreation actually did consider using lumber from the Tabor trees to rebuild the picnic structure, just as you suggested. This would have been exactly the kind of cute yet practical gesture Portland used to be famous for before everyone started hating us…