Why are trees along Airport Way getting cut down?

PORTLAND, Ore. - Maintenance crews are cutting down some of the trees along Northeast Airport Way to help thin the stands and promote overall tree health.

Work has just begun on the project, which is expected to take about three weeks to complete.

About 15 percent of the more than 1,600 trees located primarily in the median of Northeast Airport Way between Interstate 205 and Northeast 82nd Avenue will be removed.

The trees were originally planted about 12 years ago to provide a nice landscape for airport travelers. However, they have become root bound and more susceptible to disease because of how densely they were planted.

The thinning is also part of an effort to align the landscaping with wildlife hazard management plan standards that were recently adopted as part of a long-term plan for the airport.

There will be some single lane closures at times on Airport Way but no major delays.

The Port of Portland plans to thin some other trees on airport property as well during the next few years.