Salem’s Upright European Hornbeams, Pacific Madrones and White Oaks took center stage during the City Council meeting March 23 at Loucks Auditorium.
At that meeting, City Councilor Micki Varney (Ward 8), on behalf of Mayor Julie Hoy and the Salem City Council, proclaimed April as Arbor Month, City staff presented the 2025 Tree Report and Scott Altenhoff, Urban and Community Forestry Program manager for the Oregon Department of Forestry, announced that Salem had been selected as the department’s Tree City of the Year.
This recognition comes as Salem celebrates its 50th year as a founding member of the Tree City USA program.
“Salem has been on the leading edge of urban and community forestry since 1976,” Altenhoff said. “Upon meeting the dedicated staff at the City of Salem, I was humbled, to say the least, to see their unique approach, grounded in adherence to cutting-edge science and best practices…