Street Trees

One of the most common complaints from property owners about mature street trees is damage from surface roots. Across Washington County—including communities such as Hillsboro, Beaverton, Sherwood, Tualatin, and Cornelius—local planners, urban foresters, and transportation departments are working to solve this common conflict while preserving the trees that make the region livable. Removing trees to prevent damage has its own costs—and preserving those trees can be a big sav

Cracked sidewalks and street trees often get framed as a simple nuisance, but the real issue goes deeper—all the way to the roots. This article explores how tree roots damage pavement, the hidden costs cities face when they respond only after damage appears, and why removing mature trees can be an even more expensive mistake. If sidewalks and urban forests are both essential infrastructure, how do cities help them coexist?