Leave Your Leaves or Leave ’em With Us!
Got leaves? Drop them off with us! Help keep your neighborhood storm drains and streets safe and clear. Bring your leaves to one or more of these convenient leaf disposal events or save yourself the trip and leave your leaves in your yard. Natural compost benefits your lawn and garden, provides winter habitat for beneficial species, and protects against clogged drains and flooding.
If you plan on dropping off leaves at one of our leaf disposal events, here’s what you should know:
We can accept leaves, pine needles, and grass clippings.
Bring debris loose or in a paper bag (no plastic).
Please limit debris to 50 pounds per bag.
The events are for residents, not commercial operations.
November 8, 9 am-3 pm – Home Depot (Science Park), Cedar Park Middle School
November 22, 9 am-3 pm – Home Depot (Science Park), Oak Hills Elementary School
We will also be collecting money and food donations for local food banks. Learn more on the Clean Water Services web page. Sign up for our e-newsletter, Clean Water Connection, for details to be delivered right to your inbox.
Encouraging beneficial insects in the garden
You may have heard the phrase “leave the leaves,” but do you know why it’s better to let leaf litter remain on the ground in fall? Because “good bugs” need that habitat to grow and reproduce. Learn more in this OSU Extension feature Encouraging beneficial insects in the garden. Flip through hundreds of photos and learn to recognize the diversity of insect life that just might be thriving under your leaves.
Forests in a changing climate: How much will the climate change in Oregon, and how fast?
In Oregon, throughout the United States, and across the globe, the climate is changing. These changes affect terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and humans worldwide. The following are among the effects of climate change in the Western United States: temperature increases; increases in wildfire frequency and size; a longer fire season; more frequent and severe droughts and heat waves that last longer; and decreases in snowpack. Learn more on the OSU web page.
Emerald Ash Borer: What You Can Do to Slow the Spread
The adult EAB is only about 1/2 inch long, but their bright iridescent green color makes them easier to spot.
The Emerald Ash Borer, an insect that threatens our native Oregon ash trees, was first found in Forest Grove in 2022. Recently, the small, metallic green beetle that kills ash trees, has been detected in Multnomah County. The following counties are now under quarantine: Clackamas, Marion, Multnomah, Washington, and Yamhill Counties. There are many Oregon ash trees in the natural areas of Cedar Mill and Bethany.
We can all do our part to slow the spread of this destructive insect. Here is the guidance from the Oregon Department of Agriculture:
Do not move firewood or woody debris more than 10 miles from where you buy or collect it.
Do not plant ash trees (Fraxinus species). Instead, plant a diversity of trees and plants that are appropriate for the conditions of the site.
Learn to identify ash trees and the signs and symptoms of an EAB infestation.
If you think you have found an EAB infestation, report it to the Oregon Invasive Species Hotline.
Determine if you have ash on your property. If you do, discuss your options with an ISA-certified arborist before taking action. There are some recommended treatments that may save trees.
Sign up for Oregon Tree Health Threats, a monthly newsletter from the Oregon Department of Forestry covering EAB and other forest health issues.
The Tualatin Soil & Water Conservation District has published an EAB Decision Tree guide here to help you make good choices.
Taking action now will help minimize the impacts of EAB in Oregon. For more information visit the Oregon EBA site here.
Treekeepers of Washington County programs
We work to protect and advocate for trees in urban unincorporated Washington County. Don’t miss our upcoming events! Visit the Treekeepers website to learn more.
Tree Walk: Forest Grove
Thursday, November 6, 10-11:30 am, free
Forest Grove is known for its giant sequoias, more than a hundred of them, some of which are the state’s oldest examples. Lisanne and Susan will lead us on this 2.4-mile hike that joins trees and local history. We’ll be walking through Pacific University’s campus, then past 1890s brick storefronts in downtown Forest Grove. From there we will explore the Clark Historic District and its 1850’s homes. Register here.
Ivy Pulls: Join Our On-Call Ivy Crew
October-March, dates and locations will vary, free
English ivy hangs on through winter at a time trees are particularly vulnerable. The invasive vines keep growing while trees are dormant, and the excess weight can increase risks for trees during winter storms. Help us save trees by removing ivy and other invasive plants that threaten them. Weather makes it hard to schedule events, so please, sign up and we’ll notify you when there is a good weather window so we can schedule an ivy pulling event.
WCMGA events
The Washington County Master Gardener™ Association (WCMGA) sponsors a wide variety of gardening–related demonstrations, lectures, seminars and workshops in various Washington County Oregon locations. Most of our events are free and open to the public. The WCMGA is a 501c3 non-profit supported by hundreds of volunteers, who work to educate the public about sustainable, affordable gardening.
Plant Propagation by Cuttings
Saturday, November 15, 10 am-noon, PCC Rock Creek Campus, Building 4, Room 104, Free, no registration needed
Join Washington County Master Gardeners to discover the magic of plant propagation in this two-hour class. Delve into the art of softwood and hardwood cuttings, exploring techniques for their successful growth.
Broadening Your Plant Palette
Tuesday, December 2, 7-8 pm, Zoom Webinar, Registration Required
Join the Washington County Master Gardeners for a webinar on Broadening Your Plant Palette. Presenter Todd Anderson is a member of the OSU Extension Small Farms team.
This presentation will give an overview of creating appropriate microclimates and extending the season using standard gardening techniques to grow tropical and subtropical edibles at home. For more information and to register, please visit our website.
Mason Bee Cocoon Cleaning
Saturday, December 6, 10 am-noon, PCC Rock Creek Campus, Building 4, Rooms 103 and 104, free in-person class, no registration required
WCMGA invites you to the third of three classes on mason bees led by Ron Spendal. In this hands-on workshop, you will learn how to extract, clean, and store mason bees. If you have cocoons ready for cleaning, bring them along. If you don’t have cocoons, we have plenty for you to practice with. Attendance at the previous Mason Bee classes is not necessary to attend this class.
Cedar Mill Garden Club monthly meeting
Wednesday, November 19, 10 am-12 pm, Beaverton Main Library 12375 SW 5th St, Cathy Stanton Room, free
The Cedar Mill Garden Club will be making our traditional Winter Arrangements just in time for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Members will bring fresh greens, foliage, grasses, pine cones, etc. from our own yards to share with the group. Fresh flowers will be provided. Each member will take home a lovely centerpiece. New Members are welcome! Please let me know if you would like to join us: [email protected] or 503-866-4222.
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