We knew it, but now it’s officially on record: last July’s tree hug at Hoyt Arboretum just posted as the verified official Guinness World Record for most people hugging trees at one time!

Treecology, Inc. and Hoyt Arboretum partnered with Friends of Trees, Environmental Services and others to get 936 people out into the arboretum—including a newly married bride and groom who happened upon the scene—to appreciate trees. 

Thanks to everyone who participated, we hold the record for now.  But, Scotland has challenged us, so now is a good time to save the date for Portland’s next tree hug to help hold the record: July 12, 2014.  We’ll need your help to make it bigger and better. 

But July is a ways off-- in the meantime, check out all of the activities coming up in April for Portland's Arbor Month.

Trees help manage stormwater and provide many other benefits that make our city cleaner, greener, and a healthier place to live.  Find out more about Environmental Services’ work to plant trees for clean rivers and streams and how you can help: www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/trees

Related City Green posts:

New Trees Take Root in East Portland

Trees Catch the Rain