When Sarah and Joel Bond moved into their first house, a home they’d bought in SW Portland Gabriel Park a few years ago, they noticed the two tall Douglas firs on the property - one several times taller than the house and leaning toward it. Generally, to remove a tree of a certain size in Portland, it must be either dead, diseased or dangerous. The Bonds applied under the dangerous criteria, but their permit was denied. The tree leaning toward their house came down in the January storm, destroying much of it. Their family wasn’t hurt but they’re still assessing the damage and are frustrated by the outcome they say they’d done everything they could to avoid. They join us to talk about dealing the aftermath, and how they’re approaching removing the other tree that’s still standing but was visibility weakened by the storm.
Think Out Loud