SE neighbors rally to save rare, old deciduous tree from removal for infill

Home demolitions might be a hot button issue, but it's the removal of a tree that has Mt. Tabor neighbors up in arms about infill this time.

The tree is the largest deciduous tree arborist Kevin Hillery has seen in Portland. It isn't the tallest or widest, he said, but it's the bulkiest.

The tree is a paradox walnut, he said, which is a hybrid designed by the same man responsible for russet potatoes. He suspects the tree was planted as early as 1870. It's one of only two paradox walnuts he's seen in the Northwest.

"Apparently, even here in the great Northwest, we don't have protection for a significant tree like this," said Stephanie Stewart, land-use co-chair for the neighborhood association.

The city approved the removal of the tree and demolition of a 1924 house at 5024 S.E. Mill St. at the end of March.

Neighbor Michael Van Kleeck has been working to pull the community together in the tree's defense. He's not opposed to development (a builder has plans for row houses on the site) but he'd like to see new construction work around the tree.

"We know that infill is happening," he said, "but this is an opportunity to make a sustainable development centered around the tree. That would be unique."

Van Kleeck, who lives about a block from the tree, said neighbors in his area have a lot of water in their basements. The tree soaks up a significant amount of water that could otherwise seep into their homes.

We'll update this story when more information about the development is available.

-- Melissa Binder

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SE neighbors rally to save rare, old deciduous tree from removal for infill