Eight Chains

 

In March, 2019, the city of Portland, Oregon planned to plant 500 red maple trees along Belmont Road. Somehow the city’s orders were misread, and the saplings were mistakenly planted on Belmont Avenue. The new trees were installed on corner lots, in parking strips and medians a few miles west of their intended home. By the time the city realized the error, residents of Belmont Avenue had added park benches in the shade and hung bird feeders from the branches. They’d even named their new trees. Portland sent crews to dig the trees up and move them to Belmont Road, but 1,400 Avenue residents petitioned the city to keep their new urban forest. When the crews arrived for removal, 47 residents were waiting with lawn chairs and thermoses. So, Portland ordered 500 more trees for Belmont Road. Today, more than seven years later, both streets boast lush deciduous canopies.