Portland’s 150‑Year‑Old Ginkgo Faces Death After Nearby Construction Sparks Community Outcry
In early March 2024 arborists noticed the crown of the 150‑year‑old ginkgo tree outside 4215 SE Milwaukie Avenue turning brown. The tree, a landmark for generations, sits on the historic McCarty property in the Sellwood‑Moreland neighborhood. Its decline has rallied neighbors, city officials, and an unlikely corporate opponent into a public dispute. The outcome could reshape how Portland balances development with its aging urban canopy.
What Happened: The Ginkgo’s Sudden Decline
The ginkgo, planted in 1874 by early settler Jacob McCarty, has long been a visual anchor for the block. On March 5, 2024, the Portland Parks & Recreation Department received a call from resident Maria Torres reporting yellowing leaves. An inspection on March 12 confirmed extensive chlorosis and a fungal infection that had taken hold in the root zone. nnTwo weeks later, on March 26, GreenLeaf Development broke ground on a 3‑acre mixed‑use project just 20 feet from the tree’s drip line. By April 12, a piece of bark fell from the trunk, a small but ominous sign noted by volunteer gardener Luis Ortega. The city commissioned an independent arborist from Oregon State University. Their October 2024 report cited elevated levels of the herbicide imazapic in soil samples taken 1.5 feet from the trunk, a chemical commonly used on construction sites for weed control. nnCity Councilmember Zoe Patel, citing the report, called an emergency hearing on May 30. The meeting, recorded by local news outlet The Oregonian, featured testimony from GreenLeaf’s project manager, who argued that the herbicide was applied according to state guidelines and that no direct link to the tree’s decline had been proven. The council voted to place a temporary preservation order on the tree pending a full environmental impact review. The order bans any further soil disturbance within a 10‑meter radius until the investigation concludes. The community has organized daily vigils, and a petition demanding permanent protection has gathered 2,317 signatures as of June 2.
Why It Matters: Urban Trees, Public Health, and Legal Precedent
Portland’s urban forest is a critical climate mitigator. According to the Portland Climate Action Plan, trees in the city absorb roughly 1.4 million metric tons of CO₂ annually. The loss of a mature ginkgo—estimated to sequester 2.5 tons of carbon each year—represents a measurable setback in the city’s emissions targets. Moreover, mature trees provide shade that reduces summer energy consumption; a study by the University of Washington found that neighborhoods with dense canopy see up to 15% lower electricity bills during heat waves. nnBeyond environmental metrics, the ginkgo holds cultural significance. Its fan‑shaped leaves turn a brilliant gold each autumn, drawing photographers and tourists. The tree’s presence has been woven into local school curricula, with fifth‑graders from Sellwood Middle School conducting annual leaf‑count projects. Its removal would erase a living piece of the neighborhood’s identity, a loss that residents liken to “pulling the heart out of our block.” nnLegally, the dispute tests the limits of Portland’s Tree Preservation Ordinance, which requires developers to submit a Tree Management Plan for any tree with a trunk diameter over 12 inches. GreenLeaf’s permit, approved in February 2024, listed the ginkgo as “non‑significant” because it fell just outside the designated protection zone. If the city’s temporary order becomes permanent, it could force a revision of zoning maps city‑wide, compelling developers to reconsider site layouts that encroach on historic trees. This case may set a precedent for future litigation, influencing how municipalities across the Pacific Northwest balance growth with ecological stewardship.
“Maria Torres told the council, “We didn’t plant this tree; it planted us. Losing it would be a wound we can’t heal,” during the June 1 hearing.”
What We Don’t Know Yet: Unresolved Questions and Evidence Gaps
The arborist report confirms the presence of imazapic but stops short of establishing causality. Soil samples were taken only from three points around the tree, leaving the broader site untested. It remains unclear whether other stressors—such as underground utility work, drought conditions, or pre‑existing fungal pathogens—contributed to the decline. GreenLeaf has offered to fund a comprehensive, third‑party investigation, but city officials have not yet accepted the offer. nnLegal experts point out that the city’s temporary preservation order hinges on the “reasonable likelihood” of harm, a standard that can be interpreted variably in court. Whether the ordinance can be enforced retroactively against a developer who already secured a permit is still an open question. Additionally, the potential for compensation to the developer if the order is later deemed unlawful has not been quantified. nnCommunity sentiment is also in flux. While the petition shows strong support, some residents—particularly those who own property adjacent to the construction site—express concerns about delays and potential property value impacts. The city’s upcoming public comment period on June 7 will likely surface these divergent viewpoints, adding another layer of uncertainty to the final decision.
Key Takeaways
- A 150‑year‑old ginkgo in Sellwood‑Moreland is dying, likely due to herbicide runoff from a new construction site.
- Portland’s Tree Preservation Ordinance may be tested, potentially reshaping development guidelines city‑wide.
- The tree’s loss would reduce carbon sequestration and shade, impacting local climate mitigation goals.
- Legal battles could pause a $45 million project, with possible financial losses exceeding $1 million for the developer.
- Community action has gathered over 2,300 signatures, showing strong local demand for urban tree protection.
What to Watch: Upcoming Hearings and Possible Outcomes
The next 72 hours will be critical. On June 5, the Portland City Planning Commission will hold a closed‑session review of the environmental impact report submitted by GreenLeaf. Observers expect the commission to recommend either a modification of the construction plan to include a protective berm around the ginkgo’s root zone, or a complete redesign that relocates the building footprint. nnSimultaneously, the legal team representing the Sellwood Neighbors Association has filed a motion for a preliminary injunction, seeking to halt all ground‑disturbing activities until a definitive causal link is proven. If granted, work on the site could be paused indefinitely, costing the developer an estimated $1.2 million in lost labor and equipment rentals, according to a statement from GreenLeaf’s CFO, Aaron Patel. nnWatch for the city council’s vote on June 10, when the temporary preservation order will be either extended for a full 90‑day period or lifted. The decision will likely be influenced by the commission’s findings, the outcome of the injunction motion, and public testimony collected during the comment period. Stakeholders are also monitoring a potential settlement offer from GreenLeaf that could include funding for a replacement sapling and a community green space, a compromise that would aim to address both ecological and economic concerns.
Ginkgo trees are living fossils that survived the mass extinction that killed the dinosaurs; source: Smithsonian Magazine.
The fate of the Sellwood ginkgo illustrates how a single tree can become the focal point of environmental, legal, and cultural debates. While the community rallies to preserve a living piece of history, city officials must weigh scientific evidence against economic pressures. Regardless of the outcome, the case underscores the growing need for transparent, science‑based policies that protect urban green infrastructure. As the hearings unfold,
