One of the benefits of living in Lake Oswego is the abundance of
trees in the city — we live in an urban forest. Much of the
character of the City of Lake Oswego is defined by trees. Lake
Oswego leads other communities in its overall protection of
trees. Street trees beautify the City and soften the built
landscape. Trees in parks and natural areas provide shade and
wildlife habitat. Trees in neighborhoods impart a sense of place
and connection to the natural world. The urban forest as a whole
adds to the livability and desirability of the community. Trees
are essential to the urban ecosystem, cleaning our air, helping
rainfall infiltrate, cooling buildings and streets, and
absorbing city noise. Regulation of tree removal through the
permit process protects the natural setting in Lake Oswego. The
city has regulated tree removal and mandated tree protection by
local law for approximately 30 years. Anyone proposing to remove
a tree over five inches in diameter is required to go through a
permit process and just